Media Release,
Wednesday,18 February 2026
OCED publishes Rural Policy Review of Ireland 2026
- OECD review of rural policy to inform development of the new Our Rural Future Policy
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has now published its first Rural Policy Review of Ireland.
The review highlights the unique whole-of-government approach taken under Ireland’s Our Rural Future policy, which has provided increased visibility on the impacts of rural areas of policies and programmes across all government departments, as well as the significant status given to rural policy through the establishment of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in 2017.
The OECD analysis also showed that, while Ireland’s rural areas have significant potential in areas such as the green economy, tourism and food sectors, there remains a range of challenges facing rural areas.
In providing a series of recommendations, the OECD review points to the benefits of improved use of rural intelligence, broadening of support for rural enterprises and enabling delivery of essential services in rural areas.
Minister Calleary stated:
“I am extremely grateful to the OECD for sharing its vast expertise and experience examining rural development policies and practices across its members.
“This review has provided a highly valuable independent evaluation of Irish rural policy, which will now help to inform the development of our new Rural Development Policy – Our Rural Future.
“I am pleased to note that the report recognises the benefits of our whole of government approach to addressing our ambitions for rural Ireland. Of course, challenges remain in ensuring we fully achieve this ambition and the detailed analysis provided by the OECD will help us to do this.”
Preasráiteas
Dé Céadaoin, 18 Feabhra 2026
Athbhreithniú um Beartas Tuaithe ar Éirinn 2026 foilsithe ag an ECFE
- Athbhreithniú ECFE ar bheartas tuaithe chun eolas a dhéanamh d’fhorbairt bheartas nua Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe
Tá an Eagraíocht um Chomhar agus Forbairt Eacnamaíoch (ECFE) i ndiaidh a céad Athbhreithniú um Beartas Tuaithe ar Éirinn a fhoilsiú.
Léirítear san athbhreithniú an cur chuige uile-rialtais ar leith atá á ghlacadh faoi bheartas Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe de chuid na hÉireann, lena ndírítear aird mhéadaithe ar an tionchar atá á imirt ar cheantair thuaithe ag beartais agus cláir ar fud na ranna rialtais go léir, in éineacht leis an stádas shuntasach a tugadh do bheartas tuaithe le bunú na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta in 2017.
Taispeánadh in anailís an ECFE, in ainneoin go bhfuil an-acmhainn i gceantair thuaithe na hÉireann i réimsí cosúil le hearnálacha an gheilleagair ghlais, na turasóireachta agus an bhia, go bhfuil réimse dúshlán roimh cheantair thuaithe go fóill.
Agus sraith moltaí á cur ar fáil acu, díríonn an anailís ECFE ar na buntáistí a bhaineann le húsáid níos fearr a bhaint as intleacht tuaithe, le tacaíocht d’fhiontair thuaithe a leathnú agus le seachadadh seirbhísí bunriachtanacha a éascú i gceantair thuaithe.
Dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Táim fíor-bhuíoch den ECFE as ucht a saineolas agus taithí leathan ag scrúdú beartais agus cleachtais forbartha tuaithe i measc a chuid ball.”
“Tá measúnú neamhspleách fiúntach ar bheartas tuaithe na hÉireann curtha ar fáil san athbhreithniú seo, a bheidh ina chúnamh dúinn chun eolas a dhéanamh d’fhorbairt ár mBeartas Forbartha Tuaithe nua – Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe.
“Cúis áthais í domsa a thabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil aitheantas sa tuarascáil ar bhuntáistí ár gcur chuige uile-rialtais chun ár n-uaillmhianta do cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann a bhaint amach. Dár ndóigh, tá dúshláin romhainn go fóill agus muid ag iarraidh na huaillmhianta sin a bhaint amach ina n-iomlán, agus beidh an anailís mhionsonraithe a chuir an ECFE ar fáil ina cabhair dúinn ina leith seo.”