After an extensive two-year exercise the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a comprehensive rural policy review of Ireland.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht had contracted the OECD to undertake the review to aid the development of future policy.

The 277-page review, published on February 16, is titled ‘Rural Policy Review of Ireland 2026’ and it assesses trends, challenges, policy options and opportunities. It will now be “fully considered” says the government in relation to ongoing work on the successor policy to Our Rural Future. This will cover the period from this year to 2031.

Responding to questions in the Dail in early February, Minister Dara Calleary said he was “intent on having the new Our Rural Future published ahead of the summer”.

He said, “The new policy will build not just on the progress already achieved but will set out a renewed vision for the whole-of-government approach to rural development for the years ahead.”

As well as contracting the OECD to provide insight, his department also engaged with thousands of stakeholders through public consultations, meetings and online engagement.

The OECD’s research took a “rural wellbeing framework” approach and it makes many recommendations, including for improved use of rural intelligence, broadening of support for rural enterprises and enabling delivery of essential services in rural areas.

The report highlights positives about rural society here as well as naming challenges. It says:

“Ireland’s rural areas are central to the country’s economy, society and territorial identity. Compared with many OECD countries, they show strong economic performance and relatively favourable demographic trends, particularly in regions with good access to urban labour markets. Yet, persistent spatial disparities between urban and more remote rural areas create distinct policy challenges.”

The Review praises Ireland’s policy structures: “Ireland has built one of the OECD’s most sophisticated rural policy frameworks and has a unique whole-of-government approach that maintains visibility on rural impacts across all departments in Ireland,” it states.

The document is now available for download from the OECD’s website at this link. Or you can read a summary here.