National Social Monitor : Policies for the Next Generation - Rural Development

This section of our National Social Monitor: The Future Starts Now: Policies for the Next Generation looks briefly at rural issues for young people. 

Transport 

Rural areas in Ireland face the challenge of an absence of an accessible, reliable, and integrated public transport system. Long-term underinvestment in public transport infrastructure continues to disadvantage young people living in rural areas. In the absence of adequate public transport, people living in rural areas depend on car access to avail of public services, education, employment, healthcare, and recreational activities. This reliance can be particularly challenging for young people between the ages of 15-29, who are far less likely to have the financial resources to own and maintain a car. 

Many young people already drive less frequently due to costs such as insurance, fuel, and other expenses (Bank of Ireland, 2025). As a result, a lack of integrated public transport options restricts young people from being able to participate fully in work, education, and community life, unless they have access to a private vehicle, further reinforcing rural inequalities.

As shown in Chart 1, rural households are on average several kilometres away from basic services such as bus stops, compared with just a few hundred metres in urban areas. This highlights the scale of the accessibility gap and explains the reliance on cars in rural communities.

Chart 1: Average distance (km) of residential dwellings to everyday services by State, urban, and rural areas

Source: CSO Statbank 2019

Ireland’s current rural public development frameworks targeting transport are ‘Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’ and ‘Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan’. Both have committed to increase rural connectivity and connectivity between towns and villages in rural Ireland. Since 2022, 180 routes have been introduced or improved, Local Link usage has increased, and a new on-demand service is being trialled (NTA, 2025). 

While these improvements have expanded rural bus services, limited frequency, poor integration, and long distances to bus stops mean that these improvements are not yet sufficient for young people to rely on for daily life. Chart 4.1 shows that bus stops are on average 5.6 km from rural households. With limited access to footpaths or safe cycling routes many young people are unable to access these new services at all.

Last mile transport options connect people from transit hubs to their final destinations. These include walking, cycling, e-scooters, ride-sharing, and local buses. Efficient last mile solutions reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve accessibility. Investing in flexible, affordable, and sustainable options enhances urban mobility and supports more connected, liveable communities.

Broadband

The lack of quality broadband is a considerable barrier to the sustainable development of rural Ireland. Fast reliable broadband is essential for educational, economic, and social functions. 

While high speed internet is essential for all ages, young people have grown up in a digital environment and are particularly reliant on online connectivity for education, work and social participation. Almost all people aged 16-29 used the internet several times a day, compared with 42 per cent of all adults (Chart 2). For young people, digital connectivity has become a basic infrastructure need with the increase in remote learning, remote work, and the use of the internet for community engagement and social inclusion. 

Chart 2: Frequency of Internet Usage by Group

Source: CSO (2025 Internet Coverage)

The National Broadband Plan has seen immense success in providing over 400,000 rural premises access to broadband, with plans to deliver broadband access to all premises in the intervention area by the end of 2026 (NBI,2025). Although rural areas are being provided with broadband coverage, inequalities remain. While some urban areas in Dublin receive average broadband speeds of 200 Mbps, many rural areas still receive a maximum speed of 60 Mbps or less, which creates a persistent digital disadvantage. Rural households still experience slower speeds, higher costs, and poorer service quality. 

These gaps continue to limit young people’s abilities to participate fully in education, remote work and online services, reinforcing inequalities and driving young people away from rural areas in favour of urban areas. Whilst the progress made recently is welcome, the Government must address the issue of universal quality broadband provision in a sustainable way which is not dependent on multinational corporations.

Policy Priorities

• Invest in safe walking and cycling infrastructure to connect rural households to transport hubs.
• Deliver broadband as a public utility to ensure equal, affordable, and reliable access for all communities.