Sustainability and short supply chains should form the basis for future agricultural policy, according to Social Justice Ireland.

The independent social justice think tank has today (Monday, November 11) published a document outlining the challenges facing the next government in rural Ireland.

It comes as politicians are out in force canvassing across the country ahead of the upcoming general election on Friday, November 29.

Social Justice Ireland has highlighted that rural areas have an older population, higher poverty rates and must travel greater distances for everyday services.

The think tank said that the average distance to most services for people in rural areas is at least three times longer than for people in urban areas.

For supermarkets, GPs and pharmacies, the average travel distance was seven times longer for rural dwellings, Social Justice Ireland added.

The document notes that the "driver of the rural economy" has moved from primarily agricultural to a more diverse base involving services, manufacturing, tourism and others.

The midlands and the border regions had the lowest disposable income per person in 2021, according to the latest available data.

Social Justice Ireland said that the next government will have to support rural households to ensure that they have sufficient incomes will be crucial to the future of rural Ireland.

"High quality and connected public transport links, skills development and sustainable regional employment opportunities are vital to the future of rural economies," it said.

The document outlines a list of areas which the new government should concentrate on "to build thriving and resilient rural communities":

Ensure that investment is balanced between and within regions;
Ensure rural development policy is underpinned by social, economic and environmental wellbeing;
Continue to prioritise rolling out high speed broadband to rural areas;
Invest in an integrated, accessible and flexible rural transport and rural active travel network;
Ensure that sustainable agriculture policy, sustainable land management, and short supply chains for farmers and consumers form the basis of future agricultural policy;
Ensure that development initiatives resource areas which are further from the major urban areas to ensure they do not fall further behind;
Invest in human capital through targeted education and training programmes, especially for older workers and those in vulnerable employment.
Establish a Just Transition and Adaptation Dialogue to ensure rural areas are not disproportionately impacted by low carbon policies and are supported to meet the challenges posed by the future of work;
Prepare for the potential impact of technology on the future of work by investing in the regions and ensuring the necessary social, infrastructural and human capital supports are in place to manage any upheaval;
Provide integrated supports for rural entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
Ensure public service delivery in rural areas according to the equivalence principle and that rural proofing is an essential component of all government policies.