IRL Publications
Submissions
2023
Submission to Department of Social Protection Statement of Strategy 2023-2026 – Read more here
Submission to the National Risk Assessment 2023 – Read more here
2022
Pre-Budget Submission 2023 – Read more here
Input into European Semester Mission to Ireland – Read more here
Submission to Energy Poverty Action Plan Consultation – Read more here
Submission to Ireland’s New Forestry Strategy 2023-2030 and Implementation Plan 2023 – 2027 – Read more here
Submission to Retail Banking Review – Read more here
Submission to Clean Air Strategy – Read more here
Submission to the Digital Connectivity Strategy – Read more here
Submission to the EU Headline Poverty Target – Read more here
2020
Submission to All Island Strategic Rail Review – Read more here
2019
Submission to DRCD New Rural Development Policy 2020 – Read more here
Submission on Long-term Strategy on GHG Emissions – Read more here
Pathways to Work Strategy – Read more here
National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland – Read more here
Pre Budget Submission 2020 – Read more here
Response to EU Commission Country Report – Read more here
Review of CSP – Read more here
Submission to Heritage Ireland 2030 – Read more here
Review of NAPInclusion 2007 – 2016 – Read more here
Consultation on Usage of Increased Carbon Tax Revenues – Read more here
Northern and Western Assembly DRAFT RSES – Read more here
2018
Irish Rural Link Budget 2019 Summary
Irish Rural Link have outlined some of the key measures announced in Budget 2019 in a summary document and how these measures will impact on people and communities in rural areas. A copy of the summary document is available to download here.
Irish Rural Link Pre-Budget Submission 2019
Irish Rural Link have made its Pre-Budget Submission 2019. Full submission available here
2016
Submission to Ireland’s Open Government Partnership Draft Action Plan 2016-2018
Irish Rural Link welcomes the new National Action Plan on Open Government Partnership. Engaging with citizens in the development of Government policy, whether national or local, will give stronger policies and help those drafting the policies and strategies have a better understanding of what is happening on the ground and how a certain policy would impact on people’s day to day lives…full submission available here
Submission to Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare
People living in rural areas face many of the same difficulties in accessing healthcare, in particular for specialist services, and lack of available services but this can be exacerbated in rural areas by the lack of or limited availability of other necessary services, such as transport, so people can make medical appointments…full submission available here
Submission to Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Statement of Strategy 2017-2019
Transport in rural areas is very often seen as a lifeline to people and plays an imperative role in preventing isolation for people living in rural and sometimes very remote areas. However, people living in rural areas cannot access a widespread rural transport service or take advantage of free travel entitlements…full submission available here
Submission to Department of Housing Planning Community and Local Government Statement on Strategy 2017-2019
The Department for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government’s Statement of Strategy for 2016-2019 is an opportunity to put in place mechanisms that will help to develop the whole of the country so that no area continues to be left behind. There have been policies and strategies developed by the Department over previous years that had strong recommendations and actions outlined but were never implemented. These recommendations and actions should be re-examined and brought into the forthcoming strategy…full submission available here
Pre-Budget Submission 2017
Irish Rural Link urge the new Government to recognise the huge sacrifices made by people during the period of austerity and strongly recommend that Budget 2017 begins the process of stimulating the economy so that employment can begin to increase and lessen the hardship that many people and families continue to experience. Copy of Pre-Budget Submission 2017 available here
Press Releases
2018
Irish Rural Link Call for Establishment of Stakeholder Forum on Local Public Banking be expedited in the New Year
Irish Rural Link (IRL) – the national network representing the interest of rural communities are calling on Government to expedite the establishment of the Stakeholder Forum on Local Public Banking in the new year which is due to begin at the end of January 2019. Full Press Release can be read here
2017
28:12:17_Press Release Irish Rural Link call for increase in rural policing 281217
7:12:17_Press Release Irish Rural Link hosts Seminar on EU LIFE Project
10:11:17_IRL Make submission to second draft of National Planning Framework 101117
24:10:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link welcomes Minister Ross comments on Community Car Scheme
4:10:17_Joint Press Release_V1GA
27:9:17_IRL broadly welcomes the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 Our Plan 270917
19:9:17_Irish Rural Link Concern on Rural Isolation, rural services and Crime 190917
19:9:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link call for a Bottom Up Approach to Farm Safety
27:7:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link call for a Bottom Up Approach to Farm Safety_1
29:6:17_Press Release MICRO Composite Report
13:6:17_Irish Rural Link running Two Free Computer Programmes to get people and farmers online
25:5:17_Final Press Release Launch of CWF Strategic Plan 250517
4:5:17_Press Release Irish Rural Link Calls for Protocol on Rural Services 040517
12:4:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link meeting Oireachtas Finance Committee 121007
10:4:17_Budget 2018 Press Release
4:4:17_IRL Concern on 300,000 premises contracted to Eir to delivery Broadband 040417
31:3:17_IRL Welcomes make submission to National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 Our Plan 310317
29:3:17_Press Release IRL Make Submission to DAHRRG on Local Public Model 290317
23:3:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link Disappointed on Short Notice of Bus Eireann Strikes 230317
7:3:17_Press Release Irish Rural Link Express Concerns about closures of Post Offices 070317
8:2:17_Press Release – Irish Rural Link Launches MICRO Website 080217 Final
2:2:17_IRL Welcomes first stage of National Planning Framework 020217
Reports
Poverty and Social Inclusion. The Case for Rural Ireland
The aim of this Report is to raise awareness and to highlight that poverty and social exclusion are not just urban issues but are very much evident in rural communities in Ireland. It looks at how poverty and social exclusion can be exacerbated as a result of living in a rural area.
Just Transition and Wellbeing for Rural Communities Survey
Irish Rural Link and Social Justice Ireland are undertaking a joint research project examining rural communities, wellbeing and a Just Transition. We would be very grateful if you could circulate this short survey to your members.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HNQJW2P
The purpose of this survey is to get the views of rural dwellers and rural communities on a Just Transition, and how the wellbeing of rural communities can be improved. At this very important juncture in Irish life, as we begin? to implement the policies to meet our national climate goals by 2030, your views and the views of your wider network are vital to developing a clear picture of the potential impact on rural communities across Ireland.
The survey will remain open until the 31/07/2022. We aim to present preliminary results at the end of September, with a full report to be published later in 2022.