The OECD says there’s significant potential for the green economy, tourism and food sectors in rural Ireland.
But there’s also a range of challenges.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has published its Rural Policy Review for 2026 after an extensive two-year exercise involving a number of visits here.
Its recommendations include ‘a broadening of support for rural enterprises and delivery of essential services.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Mayo TD Dara Calleary said; “This review has provided a highly valuable independent evaluation of Irish rural policy, which will now help to inform the development of our new Rural Development Policy – Our Rural Future.
“I am pleased to note,” He added, “that the report recognises the benefits of our whole of government approach to addressing our ambitions for rural Ireland. Of course, challenges remain in ensuring we fully achieve this ambition and the detailed analysis provided by the OECD will help us to do this.”