Minister: 'Agriculture is the core of rural Ireland'
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary has said that agriculture is "the core of rural Ireland" both economically and socially.
The minister was speaking in the Dáil this week about the steps being taken to address rural depopulation, by encouraging young people to remain in, or return to, rural areas.
Minister Calleary outlined that the government's Our Rural Future policy for sustainable rural development seeks to ensure that all rural areas are attractive for people to live, work, and raise families in.
In response, Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly, Tony McCormack claimed that the continuing loss of young people from rural areas is "deeply worrying".
He said: "The truth is that we are educating our children to live elsewhere. We equip them with the skills, ambition and drive but the jobs, housing and services they need to build a future in the locality are not in place.
"This trend is affecting everything - from school enrolments to local businesses and the fabric of rural community life. The longer it continues, the harder it becomes to reverse," he added.
Deputy McCormack also highlighted the sharp decline in the number of young farmers in rural Ireland, and in his constituency.
He believes that farming is "the backbone" of rural life, but fewer young people see it as a viable future due to high entry costs, housing challenges and limited local supports.
"This is not just about agriculture, it shows how rural Ireland is becoming less accessible for the next generation. If we do not act, we will not just be losing farmers, but community leaders, volunteers and local families that hold rural life together," Deputy McCormack said.
"I urge the department to recognise that rural regeneration depends on a strong, diverse rural economy, one that includes farming, but also services, trades and small enterprises."
Minister Calleary said that he will engage with farming organisations as part of the consultation process on Our Rural Future.
He said: "I assure Deputy McCormack that the involvement of young people in rural Ireland is core to this consultation process, because the process would be much weaker without their involvement and input.
"I welcome any deputy or senator who provides a targeted response on how we can support young people to remain in or to come back to rural Ireland to establish a business," Minister Calleary added.
