RGDATA warns government to heed CEDRA rural development recommendations

RGDATA director general Tara Buckley says the latest recommendations on rural development shouldn't be 'put on a shelf to gather dust'

Much tighter co-ordination between state agencies needed to revitalise our towns and villages, says RGDATA's Tara Buckley

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AT A GLANCE: CEDRA recommendations

The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) contains four main recommendations, as outlined below:

1. That the government reinvigorates its approach to support for rural economic development by preparing a clear and committed rural economic development policy statement.
2. Setting up a policy delivery and coordination mechanism with elements such as the creation of a Ministerial function for the coordination of rural economic development that is anchored in the legislative framework.
3. Government should establish a strategic research function within the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) that can commission research to support the achievement of specific objectives as set out by HLIC.
4. Government and relevant stakeholders should be required to maximise the potential of available funding mechanisms to support the economic development of rural areas

RGDATA has urged the government to act swiftly to implement the recommendations in the new report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA).

"Rural Irish towns and villages need immediate action – not another report full of good intentions that is put on a shelf to gather dust," said RGDATA director general Tara Buckley.

"Rural Irish towns and villages need swift action to address the problems of closed shops and businesses and high unemployment which is severely impacting on local economic and community life. The hearts have been ripped from many towns by out of town developments and town centres have been neglected. This CEDRA report recommends that the government make a clear and committed rural economic policy statement. RGDATA urges the Taoiseach and the government to do this as a matter of urgency," said Buckley.

"CEDRA rightly points out that we have had reports in the past that have made excellent recommendations about tackling these important issues but they have failed due to a lack of appropriate support, delivery and co-ordination mechanisms. We need a government Minister to take ownership of this vital policy initiative and much tighter co-ordination between state agencies to ensure that we work together to revitalise our towns and villages, provide opportunities for Irish family owned businesses to thrive and survive and create rural jobs and rebuild local communities," said Buckley.

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