Rural Ireland - time to halt the two tier recovery

An unequal and two tier recovery is emerging in Ireland.  Poverty rates at all levels are higher in rural areas and the median income is lower in rural Ireland.  While employment is increasing in urban areas, unemployment is still a significant challenge for rural Ireland.

Low-paid, part-time and seasonal work, combined with unemployment and an ageing demographic are significant factors in rural poverty and social exclusion. Solutions to persistently low rural incomes and falling farm incomes require broader strategies, both for farm and non-farm families.  This will require policy planning, both economic and social supports and broader skills development strategies.

In the run up to the election Social Justice Ireland has produced a short briefing on Rural Ireland outlining some key challenges and policy recommendations.  To read more on this issue please click here.