‘Have Your Say’: Minister Calleary launches final phase of consultation on Our Rural Future

• Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, TD today launched the final phase of consultation to inform development of the next iteration of Ireland’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future

• The new policy will build on the progress already made and will set out a renewed vision and new actions to respond to the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities

• Informed by the extensive engagement already undertaken, a consultation document setting out the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy has been published and written submissions are invited by 12 December 2025

• Our Rural Future 2026-2031 Consultation Paper: View the file – View

Media Release: Sunday, 16 November

Since its launch in 2021, Our Rural Future has delivered vital investment and supports, strengthened local economies, and improved quality of life across rural Ireland.

The next iteration of Our Rural Future is now being developed to respond to the evolving needs of rural economies and communities. Over recent months, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has engaged extensively with stakeholders and communities across the country to gather views on what matters most for rural Ireland and its people. 

The consultation document published on gov.ie/consultations today reflects that engagement. It outlines the proposed key themes and priorities for the new policy and includes a series of suggested consultation questions designed to guide and support interested parties in preparing their submissions.

Launching the Consultation, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said:

“The launch of this final phase of consultation marks an important milestone in developing the next Our Rural Future policy; a key Programme for Government commitment.  I want to hear your views on how Government can continue to support rural areas and how we can ensure that national policy responds to the emerging opportunities and challenges faced by rural communities. 

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, added:

“Rural communities are the heart and soul of our country. The people who live in them understand best what is required to sustain and strengthen the vitality of their towns and villages. I have seen first-hand the passion and commitment of people during our consultation events, and we now have another valuable opportunity to ensure that voices from every community are heard.  I encourage everyone with an interest in their local community to take part and help shape the next Our Rural Future policy.”

Further detail on how to make a written submission is provided in the document.

The Our Rural Future 2026-2031 Consultation Paper is accessible here: Public Consultation: Our Rural Future

The consultation will remain open until 12 December 2025.

Minister Calleary concluded:

“We are committed to building on the success of Our Rural Future and ensuring we make rural Ireland an even better place to live, work, study, and raise a family in the years ahead.”

ENDS

Contact: The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Press Office

01-773 6843 / 086 4618285 Press.office@drcdg.gov.ie

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Notes to editor: 

Our Rural Future

Our Rural Future is the whole-of-Government framework for the sustainable development of rural Ireland.

The Programme for Government commits to development of a new Our Rural Future policy for the period from 2026. The next iteration of Our Rural Future will build upon the achievements of the 2021-2025 policy, while also addressing new issues of importance for people in rural Ireland.

Submissions are welcomed to rural.consultation@drcdg.gov.ie or by post at the address provided in the document.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The expanded Department is now known as the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD leads the Department and is supported by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.

Preasráiteas

Dé Domhnaigh, 16 Samhain

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‘Abair do Chuid’: Céim dheireanach den chomhairliúchán faoi Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe seolta ag an Aire Calleary

• Inniu sheol an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobal agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, an chéim dheireanach den chomhairliúchán chun eolas a dhéanamh d’fhorbairt an chéad leagan eile de bheartas forbartha tuaithe na hÉireann, Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe.
• Cuirfidh an beartas nua leis an dul chun cinn a rinneadh cheana agus leagfar amach fís athnuaite agus gníomhartha nua ann mar fhreagairt ar na deiseanna agus na dúshláin atá roimh phobail tuaithe.
• Le heolas ón rannpháirtíocht chuimsitheach a rinneadh cheana, foilsíodh doiciméad comhairliúcháin ina leagtar amach na príomhthéamaí agus tosaíochtaí beartaithe don bheartas nua, agus tá fáilte á chur roimh aighneachtaí scríofa roimh 12 Nollaig 2025.

Óna sheoladh in 2021 i leith, tá Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe i ndiaidh infheistíocht agus tacaíochtaí bunriachtanacha a thabhairt i gcrích, geilleagair áitiúla a neartú, agus an caighdeán maireachtála a fheabhsú ar fud cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann.

Tá an chéad leagan eile de Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe á fhorbairt mar fhreagra ar riachtanais athraitheacha na ngeilleagar agus pobal tuaithe. Le roinnt míonna anuas, tá an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta i ndiaidh plé cuimsitheach a dhéanamh le geallsealbhóirí agus pobail fud fad na tíre chun tuairimí a bhailiú faoi cad atá tábhachtach do phobail tuaithe na hÉireann. 

Léirítear an rannpháirtíocht sin sa doiciméad comhairliúcháin a foilsíodh ar gov.ie/consultations inniu. Leagtar amach ann na príomhthéamaí agus tosaíochtaí beartaithe don bheartas nua agus tá sraith ceisteanna comhairliúcháin molta ann chun treoir agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do pháirtithe leasmhara agus a n-aighneachtaí á n-ullmhú acu.

Agus é ag seoladh an Chomhairliúcháin, dúirt an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary:

“Tá sprioc thábhachtach bainte amach againn le seoladh na céime deireanaí seo den chomhairliúchán agus muid ag forbairt an chéad leagan eile de bheartas Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe; ar phríomhghealltanas é sa Chlár Rialtais.  

“Ba mhaith liom bhur ndearcthaí a chloisteáil faoi conas is féidir leis an Rialtas leanúint lena thacaíocht do cheantair thuaithe agus conas is féidir linn a chinntiú go bhfuil an beartas náisiúnta sin ag dul i ngleic leis na deiseanna agus dúshláin atá ag teacht chun cinn i bpobail tuaithe”. 

Dúirt an tAire Stáit le freagracht as Forbairt Phobail agus Carthanachtaí, Jerry Buttimer TD:

“Is croí agus anam ár dtíre iad pobail tuaithe. Is fearr an tuiscint atá ag muintir na gceantar sin faoi cad is riachtanach chun beocht a mbailte agus sráidbhailte a chothú agus a neartú.

“Chonaic mé féin dúthracht agus tiomantas na ndaoine le linn ár n-imeachtaí comhairliúcháin, agus anois tá deis fhiúntach eile againn le cinntiú go dtugtar tuairimí gach pobal san áireamh.  Spreagaim do gach duine, ar mhaithe lena bpobail áitiúla, páirt a ghlacadh agus cabhradh linn cruth a chur ar an gcéad leagan eile de bheartas Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe.”

Tá tuilleadh sonraí faoi conas aighneacht scríofa a dhéanamh ar fáil sa doiciméad.

Beidh an comhairliúchán ar oscailt go dtí 12 Nollaig 2025.

Ar deireadh, dúirt an tAire Calleary:

“Geallann muid go gcuirfimid le rath Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe agus go gcinnteoidh muid go ndéanfar áit níos fearr de cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann le cónaí, le hobair, le staidéar agus le clann a thógáil iontu sna blianta amach romhainn.”

Tá Páipéar Comhairliúcháin Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe 2026-2031 ar fáil anseo: Comhairliúcháin Phoiblí: Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe

CRÍOCH

Teagmháil:

Preasoifig na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta

01-773 6843 / 086 791 4618285

Press.office@drcdg.gov.ie

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Nótaí don Eagarthóir: 

Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe

Is é Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe an creat uile-Rialtais um fhorbairt inbhuanaithe cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann.

Tá geallta sa Chlár Rialtais go bhforbrófar beartas nua Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe don tréimhse dar tús 2026. Sa chéad leagan eile de Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe, cuirfear le héachtaí bheartas 2021-2025, agus rachfar i ngleic le mórcheisteanna nua atá roimh mhuintir thuaithe na hÉireann.

Tá fáilte roimh aighneachtaí chuig rural.consultation@drcdg.gov.ie nó tríd an phost chuig an tseoladh atá sa doiciméad.