Press Release
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Government launches Our Rural Future 2026-2031
An ambitious new policy to drive rural development and strengthen rural communities
- 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 thatthe 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.
Preasráiteas
Dé Máirt, an 27 Deireadh Fómhair 2026
Seolann an Rialtas Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe 2026-2031
Polasaí nua uaillmhianach chun forbairt na tuaithe a chur chun cinn agus pobail na tuaithe a neartú
- Díriú ar fhiontar agus fostaíocht na tuaithe, dul i ngleic le haonrú tuaithe agus acmhainneacht na bpobal a neartú
- Cabhróidh tionscnamh nua infheistíochta straitéiseach tuaithe le tionscadail mhóra caipitil a dhéanamh ar leibhéal réigiúnach
- Leagtar 34 ghealltanas amach sa pholasaí nua chun tacú le fás agus rath leanúnach cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann
- Leagtar amach sa Phlean Gnímh don tréimhse go dtí deireadh 2028 234 bheart phraiticiúla agus spriocdhátaí seachadta
Inniu (Dé Máirt, an 27 Deireadh Fómhair 2026) sheol an Rialtas beartas uaillmhianach nua Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe, ina leagtar amach 34 ghealltanas ardleibhéil chun pobail na tuaithe a neartú, geilleagair áitiúla a thacú agus cáilíocht na beatha a fheabhsú ar fud cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann.
Ag cur leis an dul chun cinn suntasach a baineadh amach faoi Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe 2021-2025, leagtar amach sa bheartas nua uile-Rialtais fís do cheantair thuaithe rathúla agus acmhainneacha in Éirinn.
Tugtar le chéile ann gealltanais ó gach cuid den Rialtas chun a chinntiú go bhfuil an bonneagar, na seirbhísí agus na tacaíochtaí atá de dhíth ar phobail na tuaithe acu chun rath a bhaint amach.
Áirítear sa bheartas réimse beart agus tionscnamh nua chun tacú le fiontar agus fostaíocht tuaithe, rochtain ar sheirbhísí riachtanacha i gceantair iargúlta a fheabhsú, dul i ngleic le haonrú tuaithe agus acmhainneacht na bpobal a neartú trí nuálaíocht agus teicneolaíocht.
Comhlánaítear sna tionscnaimh seo gealltanais níos leithne an Rialtais maidir le tithíocht na tuaithe, iompar, nascacht dhigiteach agus athnuachan bailte agus sráidbhailte tuaithe.
Tá cúig ghné straitéiseacha ag an mbeartas, agus soláthraítear ann creat cuimsitheach chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na príomhdheiseanna agus na príomhdhúshláin atá roimh thuath na hÉireann.
Ag labhairt ag an seoladh, dúirt an Taoiseach:
Tá tuath na hÉireann lárnach dár bhféiniúlacht náisiúnta agus do thodhchaí na tíre. Tá láidreachtaí agus acmhainneacht ollmhór ag pobail na tuaithe, agus tá an Rialtas seo tiomanta a chinntiú go mbeidh na deiseanna, an bonneagar agus na seirbhísí acu a theastaíonn uathu chun rath a bhaint amach.
“Sa leagan nua seo de Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe, leagtar amach fís uaillmhianach do thuath na hÉireann — áit ar féidir le daoine a saol a thógáil, gnólachtaí a fhás agus muinín a bheith ag daoine óga as todhchaí na tuaithe. Léirítear ann ár dtiomantas d’fhorbairt réigiúnach chothrom, agus aithnítear ann go dteastaíonn cur chuige comhordaithe, a bhaineann leis an Rialtas ina iomláine, chun ár spriocanna do thuath na hÉireann a bhaint amach — cur chuige ina bhfuil pobail na tuaithe i gcroílár na cinnteoireachta.”
Ag labhairt faoi fhoilsiú an bheartais nua, dúirt an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD:
“Bíonn tuath na hÉireann ag athrú i gcónaí agus athraíonn riachtanais na ndaoine a chónaíonn ann dá réir. Ba chéim shuntasach chun tosaigh é chéad bheartas Ár dTodhchaí Thuaithe, a seoladh in 2021, maidir lenár gcur chuige i leith na forbartha tuaithe agus chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na riachtanais sin. Inniu, is féidir linn an tionchar dearfach a bhí ag infheistíocht leanúnach i mbailte, i sráidbhailte agus i bpobail ar fud na tíre ar fad a fheiceáil.”
“Bunaíodh an polasaí nua seo ar na héachtaí sin, agus aithnítear ann na deiseanna agus na dúshláin atá ag teacht chun cinn atá roimh thuath na hÉireann. Chomh maith le neartú na dtacaíochtaí atá ann cheana féin, táimid ag tabhairt isteach bearta nua a chabhróidh le pobail freagairt do riachtanais atá ag athrú, geilleagair agus seirbhísí áitiúla a neartú, agus an leas is fearr a bhaint as dul chun cinn i nascacht dhigiteach.
“Aithnímid go bhfuil gach pobal tuaithe difriúil, lena láidreachtaí, a dtosaíochtaí agus a ndúshláin féin. Léirítear an éagsúlacht seo sa chur chuige áitbhunaithe, lena n-áirítear riachtanais agus deiseanna ar leith phobal na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán, agus an tábhacht a bhaineann le tacú lena n-inbhuanaitheacht agus a bhforbairt fhadtéarmach.
“Táimid ag díriú go daingean ar sheachadadh, ag obair ar fud an Rialtais chun feabhsuithe praiticiúla a bhaint amach a dhéanfaidh difríocht mhór do dhaoine atá ina gcónaí agus ag obair i gceantar tuaithe na hÉireann.”
Dúirt an tAire Fiontar, Turasóireachta agus Fostaíochta, Peter Burke TD:
“Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag ceantair thuaithe na hÉireann inár ngeilleagar náisiúnta, le bonn fiontar láidir agus éagsúil agus acmhainneacht ollmhór le haghaidh tuilleadh fáis. Ó bhia agus turasóireacht go tionscail atá ag teacht chun cinn agus gnólachtaí nuálacha, cuireann ceantair thuaithe go mór le rath eacnamaíoch na hÉireann.
“I bpolasaí nua Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe tógtar ar na láidreachtaí seo, ag tacú le fiontar agus fostaíocht, ag spreagadh nuálaíochta agus ag baint leasa as na deiseanna a chuireann teicneolaíochtaí digiteacha, hintleacht shaorga agus bealaí nua oibre i láthair. Is é an sprioc atá againn ná geilleagair thuaithe a neartú agus a chinntiú go leanfaidh siad de ról lárnach a imirt inár bhforbairt eacnamaíoch náisiúnta.”
Ag labhairt faoin tábhacht a bhaineann le todhchaí inbhuanaithe a dhaingniú do cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann, dúirt an tAire Stáit Seán Canney TD:
“Tá acmhainneacht agus cumas suntasach ag pobail na tuaithe chun oiriúnú don athrú. Agus muid ag féachaint chun cinn, tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanaimid iad a ullmhú chun freagairt do dhúshláin atá ag teacht chun cinn agus an leas is fearr a bhaint as deiseanna nua.
“Aithnítear sa pholasaí nua seo, Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe, an tábhacht a bhaineann le pleanáil go fadtéarmach, ó chosaint na timpeallachta nádúrtha agus freagairt don athrú aeráide, go neartú acmhainneachta infreastruchtúr riachtanach i gceantair na tuaithe.
“Is é an sprioc atá againn ná tacú le tuath na hÉireann atá inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an chomhshaoil de, acmhainneach ó thaobh an gheilleagair de agus láidir ó thaobh na sochaí de, áit ar féidir le pobail déanamh go maith ar feadh na nglúnta atá le teacht.”
Ag labhairt faoin tábhacht a bhaineann le daoine agus pobail a chur i gcroílár an pholasaí, dúirt an tAire Stáit sa Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Jerry Buttimer TD:
“Tá pobail láidre i gcroílár cheantair thuaithe na hÉireann. Ar fud na tíre, cuireann eagraíochtaí áitiúla, oibrithe deonacha agus grúpaí pobail go mór le saol na tuaithe, ag tabhairt daoine le chéile agus ag cruthú pobal ina mbraitheann gach duine go bhfuil siad tábhachtach.
“Aithnítear sa pholasaí nua seo an tábhacht a bhaineann le cur leis na láidreachtaí seo, feabhas a chur ar iompar na tuaithe agus ar rochtain ar áiseanna agus seirbhísí pobail, agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshláin amhail uaigneas agus iargúltacht na tuaithe.
“Trí thacú le rannpháirtíocht áitiúil agus leanúint ar aghaidh ag infheistiú sna háiseanna agus sna seirbhísí ina dtugtar daoine le chéile, is féidir linn cabhrú le pobail na tuaithe níos láidre agus níos acmhainní a thógáil, áit a mbraitheann daoine de gach aois ceangailte, tacaithe agus luachmhar.”
Leagtar amach sa Phlean Gnímh na bearta praiticiúla atá le seachadadh ar fud an Rialtais le linn chéad leath na tréimhse beartais, ag soláthar creata le haghaidh cur i bhfeidhm agus monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar dhul chun cinn. Aithneofar tuilleadh gníomhartha le linn na tréimhse go dtí 2031 chun tacú le comhlíonadh leanúnach ghealltanais an bheartais.
Bunaíodh Ar dTodhchaí Tuaithe 2026-2031 ar chomhairliúchán agus rannpháirtíocht fhairsing le pobail na tuaithe agus le páirtithe leasmhara, rud a chabhraíonn lena chinntiú go léirítear sa bheartas taithí, tosaíochtaí agus dearcthaí na ndaoine atá ina gcónaí agus ag obair i gceantair thuaithe na hÉireann.
Bunaíodh an beartas freisin ar Athbhreithniú 2026 ECFE ar Bheartas Tuaithe na hÉireann, ina leagtar béim ar láidreachtaí chur chuige uile-rialtais na hÉireann i leith na forbartha tuaithe agus inar tugadh léargais luachmhara a chuidigh le cruthú an bheartais nua.
Reáchtálfar sraith imeachtaí réigiúnacha ar fud na tíre sna míonna amach romhainn chun plé díreach a dhéanamh le pobail na tuaithe maidir leis na tosaíochtaí agus na gealltanais a leagtar amach i bpolasaí nua Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe. Cuirfear eolas ar fáil ag na himeachtaí seo faoi raon deiseanna maoinithe agus tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil, lena n-áirítear treoir phraiticiúil maidir le hincháilitheacht agus próisis iarratais, rud a chabhróidh leis na tacaíochtaí sin a dhéanamh níos inrochtana do phobail agus d’eagraíochtaí ar fud thuath na hÉireann.