- Focus on rural enterprise and employment, tackling rural isolation and strengthening community resilience
- A new strategic rural investment initiative will help unlock major capital projects at regional level
- New policy sets out 34 commitments to support the continued growth and prosperity of rural Ireland
- Accompanying Action Plan for the period to end 2028 sets out 234 practical measures and timelines for delivery
The Government has today (Tuesday, 27 October 2026) launched an ambitious new Our Rural Future policy, setting out 34 high-level commitments to strengthen rural communities, support local economies and improve quality of life across rural Ireland.
Building on the significant progress achieved under Our Rural Future 2021-2025, the new
whole-of-Government policy sets out a vision for a thriving and resilient rural Ireland.It brings together commitments from across Government to ensure that rural communities have the infrastructure, services and supports they need to prosper.
The policy includes a range of new measures and initiatives to support rural enterprise and employment, improve access to essential services in remote areas, tackle rural isolation and strengthen community resilience through innovation and technology.
These initiatives complement wider Government commitments on rural housing, transport, digital connectivity and the regeneration of rural towns and villages.
Structured around five strategic pillars, the policy provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the key opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach said:
“Rural Ireland is central to our national identity and to the future of our country. Our rural communities have enormous strengths and potential, and this Government is committed to ensuring they have the opportunities, infrastructure and services they need to thrive.
“This next iteration of Our Rural Future sets out an ambitious vision for rural Ireland, where people can build their lives, businesses can grow and young people can look to the future with confidence. It reflects our commitment to balanced regional development and recognises that realising our ambition for rural Ireland requires a coordinated, whole-of-Government approach, with rural communities at the heart of decision-making.”
Speaking about the publication of the new policy, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said:
"Rural Ireland is continually changing and the needs of those who live there change with it. The first Our Rural Future policy, launched in 2021, marked a significant step forward in our approach to rural development and addressing those needs. Today, we can see the positive impact of sustained investment in towns, villages and communities right across the country.
“This new policy builds on those achievements, while recognising the emerging opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland. Alongside strengthening existing supports, we are introducing new measures that will help communities respond to changing needs, strengthen local economies and services, and make the most of advances in digital connectivity.
“We recognise that every rural community is different, with its own strengths, priorities and challenges. Our place-based approach reflects this diversity, including the distinct needs and opportunities of our Gaeltacht and island communities, and the importance of supporting their long-term sustainability and development.
“Our focus now is firmly on delivery, working across Government to deliver practical improvements that make a real difference to people living and working in rural Ireland.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
"Rural Ireland plays a vital role in our national economy, with a strong and diverse enterprise base and enormous potential for further growth. From agri-food and tourism to emerging industries and innovative businesses, rural areas continue to contribute to Ireland’s economic success.
“This new Our Rural Future policy will build on these strengths, supporting enterprise and employment, encouraging innovation and harnessing the opportunities presented by digital technologies, AI and new ways of working. Our ambition is to strengthen rural economies and ensure they continue to play a central role in our national economic development.”
Speaking about the importance of securing a sustainable future for rural Ireland, Minister of State Seán Canney TD said:
“Rural communities have always shown remarkable resilience and an ability to adapt to change. As we look to the future, it is important that we equip them to respond to emerging challenges while making the most of new opportunities.
"This new Our Rural Future policy recognises the importance of planning for the long term, from protecting our natural environment and responding to climate change, to strengthening the resilience of essential infrastructure in rural areas.
“Our ambition is to support a rural Ireland that is environmentally sustainable, economically resilient and socially strong, where communities can continue to thrive for generations to come.”
Speaking about the importance of putting people and communities at the heart of the policy, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer TD said:
"Strong communities are at the heart of rural Ireland. Across the country, local organisations, volunteers and community groups make an extraordinary contribution to rural life, bringing people together and creating places where everyone feels they belong.
"This new policy recognises the importance of building on these strengths, improving rural transport and access to community facilities and services, and addressing challenges such as loneliness and rural isolation.
“By supporting local participation and continuing to invest in the facilities and services that bring people together, we can help build stronger, more resilient rural communities, where people of all ages feel connected, supported and valued.”
An accompanying Action Plan sets out the practical measures to be delivered across Government over the first half of the policy period, providing a framework for implementation and monitoring progress. Further actions will be identified over the period to 2031 to support the continued delivery of the policy’s commitments.
Our Rural Future 2026-2031 has been informed by extensive consultation and engagement with rural communities and stakeholders, helping to ensure that the policy reflects the experiences, priorities and perspectives of those living and working in rural Ireland.
The policy has also been informed by the OECD’s 2026 Rural Policy Review of Ireland, which highlighted the strengths of Ireland’s whole-of-government approach to rural development and provided valuable insights that have helped shape the new policy.
A series of regional events will be held across the country over the coming months to engage directly with rural communities on the priorities and commitments set out in the new Our Rural Future policy. The events will also provide information on the range of funding opportunities and supports available, including practical guidance on eligibility and application processes, helping to make these supports more accessible to communities and organisations across rural Ireland.
About Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future 2026-2031 is the Government's whole-of-Government policy for rural development, building on the first iteration, Our Rural Future 2021-2025.
The policy sets out 34 high-level commitments, structured around five strategic pillars, to support the continued development of rural Ireland.
The five strategic pillars are:
- Pillar One: Thriving Rural Places
Investing in our rural places and associated infrastructure to ensure that they are thriving and vibrant places for people to live, work and raise a family.
- Pillar Two: High-Quality Public Services
Delivering access to high-quality public services that shape everyday life in rural areas.
- Pillar Three: A Strong and Diverse Rural Economy
Ensuring that rural Ireland continues to play a central role in our national economic development.
- Pillar Four: Resilient Rural Communities
Strengthening resilient, inclusive, culturally rich, and empowered communities in rural Ireland.
- Pillar Five: Sustaining Our Rural Environment
Supporting rural communities to contribute to our climate action and environmental sustainability agenda.
Implementation
The policy is accompanied by an Action Plan setting out measures to be delivered by Government Departments and agencies over the first half of the policy period. Further actions will be developed over the period to 2031.
Implementation will be coordinated by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, working with relevant Government Departments and agencies.
Detailed progress updates will be published annually to support transparency and accountability. These progress reports will clearly set out details in relation to each individual action and provide an overview of progress across the breadth of the policy.
Development of the Policy
Development of the new policy has been informed by an extensive public and stakeholder consultation process which gathered the views of well over 2,000 participants.
This engagement included an online survey, a series of eight public and stakeholder events, and a public written consultation which received more than 270 responses.
It has also been informed by the OECD Rural Policy Review of Ireland 2026, published in February.
Further Information
The full policy and accompanying Action Plan are available at gov.ie/ourruralfuture
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