Rural Development
THE RURAL CHALLENGE:
EMPOWERING RURAL
COMMUNITIES TO
ACHIEVE GROWTH &
SUSTAINABILITY.
ABOUT US:
The Chairpersons of the Kerry Executives of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, the Irish
Farmers Association and the Gaelic Athletic Association have engaged in a study of the challenges facing rural Kerry and are calling for the establishment of a forum, which will enter into dialogue with the relevant government departments with a view to maintaining and supporting rural communities, and developing an employment strategy to sustain such communities. The objective of the proposed forum would be to work closely with our elected representatives, with the common objective of making Rural Ireland a place where its residents can continue to live peacefully in harmony with others and the environment, while contributing substantially to the local and national economy.
1
FOREWORDS:
The Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association was formed in 2002. The Association was founded in response to the difficulties experienced with the planning process by people living in rural
Ireland.
Many rural families had become exasperated at the intransigence of planning
authorities, which impacted on the right, or desire of young people to reside in the rural countryside. Official planning policy promotes and favours urban development as the
preferred option. This militates against the wishes of those who would like to live, as their ancestors have done, as members of the rural community. There is outright opposition among rural dwellers to this policy. It undermines the economic, cultural, social and sporting lifestyle of rural Ireland. Rural people are very worried and concerned about the seemingly ongoing threat to rural institutions such as Garda stations, schools and post offices. The lack of proper infrastructure is also a major impediment to the potential development of rural communities. The Irish Rural Dwellers Association wishes to see an end
EMPOWERING RURAL
COMMUNITIES TO
ACHIEVE GROWTH &
SUSTAINABILITY.
ABOUT US:
The Chairpersons of the Kerry Executives of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, the Irish
Farmers Association and the Gaelic Athletic Association have engaged in a study of the challenges facing rural Kerry and are calling for the establishment of a forum, which will enter into dialogue with the relevant government departments with a view to maintaining and supporting rural communities, and developing an employment strategy to sustain such communities. The objective of the proposed forum would be to work closely with our elected representatives, with the common objective of making Rural Ireland a place where its residents can continue to live peacefully in harmony with others and the environment, while contributing substantially to the local and national economy.
1
FOREWORDS:
The Irish Rural Dwellers’ Association was formed in 2002. The Association was founded in response to the difficulties experienced with the planning process by people living in rural
Ireland.
Many rural families had become exasperated at the intransigence of planning
authorities, which impacted on the right, or desire of young people to reside in the rural countryside. Official planning policy promotes and favours urban development as the
preferred option. This militates against the wishes of those who would like to live, as their ancestors have done, as members of the rural community. There is outright opposition among rural dwellers to this policy. It undermines the economic, cultural, social and sporting lifestyle of rural Ireland. Rural people are very worried and concerned about the seemingly ongoing threat to rural institutions such as Garda stations, schools and post offices. The lack of proper infrastructure is also a major impediment to the potential development of rural communities. The Irish Rural Dwellers Association wishes to see an end
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