Budget 2027 - Rural Ireland, the Regions and Communities
Investment in the regions is vital to addressing the many challenges Rural Ireland faces including an older population, higher rates of part-time employment, lower median incomes, higher poverty rates than the national average and distance from everyday services. Investment in social and economic infrastructure for the regions is essential to ensure a Just Transition for rural communities.
Rural and regional economies
Rural and regional economies are not alone in facing the challenges of climate mitigation and digital transition. Targeted support is required to build regional resilience. Climate adaptation and digitalisation present both challenges and opportunities to rural economies. They must be supported through investment in social infrastructure to ensure they can take full advantage of any opportunities and negative impacts are mitigated as far as possible.
Social Justice Ireland proposes the establishment of a regional development and transition programme. This programme would have the task of aligning ‘Our Rural Future’, ‘Our Living Islands’, Regional employment plans, ‘Making Remote Work’, the ‘Climate Action Plan’ and economic policies with the principles of just transition, developing sustainable local economies and livelihoods for our communities and building community capacity and resilience.
€50m should be allocated to Regional Development and Transition in Budget 2027. This funding should be used to invest in (i) Smart Villages and associated infrastructure to support remote working; (ii) education for the current and future generation of farmers to move to more sustainable agricultural methods; (iii) developing local cooperatives and regional ‘Farm to Fork’ strategies; (iv) improving and expanding public services to promote and support rural living; (v) a €5m allocation to support the delivery of rural proofing and (vi) the development and expansion of Living Labs in each region focused on plastics, renewables, zero carbon buildings and agro-ecology.
An additional €10m to Enterprise Ireland to develop and support indigenous enterprises and job creation across the regions, particularly those areas with employment which will be most impacted by the green and digital transitions. We also propose an additional €5m for Fáilte Ireland to promote sustainable island, local and regional tourism initiatives.
Future proof rural economies
Government must make the necessary investment now to future proof rural economies. Social Justice Ireland proposes an initial €30m investment in Budget 2027 prioritising the green economy, skills and labour force to support electrification of heating and transport systems, supporting SMEs to decarbonise and the continued rollout and development of the Remote Working Hubs network and associated infrastructure and shared services.
Rural Transport
Increased funding is required for rural public transport and the nationwide expansion of cycling infrastructure and greenways. Social Justice Ireland calls on Government to invest an additional €50m to the Rural Transport Programme, increasing the range of public transport options, including last mile transport and ensuring the rural public transport options and fleet are in line with our climate commitments, safe-guarding communities from isolation, and incentivising greater public transport usage. In addition we propose an initial investment of €10m in our active transport and cycling and walking infrastructure. This would support local tourism initiatives, and also offer rural dwellers viable transport options to get to and from daily employment and other activities. Government must also progress the All-Island Rail Strategy in 2027 with a view to ensuring those regions not currently served by rail have clarity regarding timeline for delivery, and that the strategy is rolled out in line with our climate commitments.
Community and Voluntary Sector
The community and voluntary sector operate at local level in every nook and cranny of the country. They support and empower many disadvantaged and marginalised communities and in turn must be effectively resourced to do so. As the cost of basics such as energy, food and accommodation continue to rise, the sector is under increasing pressure. At this time of uncertainty and increased conflict, they work in assisting new arrivals fleeing war and persecution to become part of their new communities. All this despite cuts to funding since 2008 never being fully restored. Government relies heavily on the sector and must therefore ensure adequate resourcing by allocating €50m in Budget 2027 to include pay increases for the sector.
Public Participation Networks (PPNs)
The PPNs across every local authority are another vital link between people and local Government and policy making. Long term investment in staff is key to keeping communities engaged with the process of participation. This matters now more than ever. Social Justice Ireland proposes an additional allocation of €4m in Budget 2027 to support capacity building and meaningful engagement with policy structures at local level.
Libraries
Libraries provide an important social and educational role in Ireland, with over 17 million visits made every year by 765,000 registered members. The continuous professional development and wellbeing of library staff is vital to ensure the success of the Libraries Strategy and ensure access. Alongside ongoing support for print and electronic content, libraries also function as hubs in communities. Budget 2027 should allocate an extra €2m. Access to information is vital for education, culture and democracy.
Financial Literacy
Social Justice Ireland welcomed the new National Financial Literacy Strategy. It is incumbent on Government to track levels of financial exclusion and to build and monitor policies and practices aimed at eliminating it in its entirety, particularly as new financial products continue to be introduced to the market. Social Justice Ireland recommends an allocation of €2m to support these initiatives, particularly for groups most in need.