Rural Development

A 5-point framework for the next Programme for Government

Monday, 13 April 2020

Despite the inevitable economic aftermath of the current pandemic, the Government of the 33rd Dáil can make significant inroads into the challenges Ireland faces over the next five years. The next Programme for Government must deliver on five key areas: a vibrant economy, decent services and infrastructure, just taxation, good governance and sustainability.

A new Social Contract

Wednesday, 25 March 2020

As we face into the most difficult and challenging times most of us have ever known, it is important to acknowledge that despite well documented problems and challenges, Ireland is in the privileged position of having public services and social infrastructure to rely on at a time of crisis. In the coming months, when we begin to think of the future beyond the current crisis, we need to consider how we can deliver a social contract to meet our needs in changing times?

National Social Monitor - European Edition, Spring 2020

Monday, 23 March 2020

The European Union faces many challenges in relation to healthcare, cost of housing and financial distress that will be further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is one of the key findings from the National Social Monitor – European Edition. In this Spring 2020 edition of our National Social Monitor, Social Justice Ireland outlines the present situation on a range of policy issues, comparative to the rest of Europe, that impact on people’s wellbeing and looks at what policies can be introduced to support the most vulnerable.

Problems across the EU makes Covid-19 crisis even more challenging

Monday, 23 March 2020

The European Union faces many challenges in relation to healthcare, cost of housing and financial distress that will be further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Ireland and the EU urgently need to develop substantial coordinated actions on these issues.

Social Justice Matters: 2020 guide to a fairer Irish society

Thursday, 19 March 2020

Social justice matters. That is why Social Justice Ireland publishes our annual socio-economic review. This book is about charting a course to a fairer Ireland. At the foundation of that is what…

Seven Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Friday, 13 March 2020

Social Justice Ireland believes strongly in the importance of developing a rights-based approach to social, economic, environmental, and cultural policy. Such an approach would go a long way towards addressing the inequality Ireland has been experiencing and should be at the heart of the development model for a just society. We believe that the next Programme for Government should acknowledge and recognise seven economic, social and cultural rights.

A framework for the next Programme for Government

Friday, 6 March 2020

The Government of the 33rd Dáil won’t be able to solve all Ireland's challenges in just five years, but making the right choices can go a long way to delivering a fairer society with a better standard of living for everyone. This is why the next Programme for Government must deliver on five key areas: a vibrant economy, decent services and infrastructure, just taxation, good governance and sustainability.

Election 2020 - some of the key issues facing Rural Ireland

Monday, 20 January 2020

Some of the key challenges facing rural Ireland are an older population, higher poverty rates and greater distances from every day services compared to urban areas. If we want viable rural communities in all parts of Ireland what is possible in the next five years and what policy proposals would move us forward? Read Social Justice Ireland's Election Briefing on Rural Ireland for an outline of a number of key challenges facing rural Ireland and some policy proposals that should be in the next Programme for Government.

Regional Ireland needs adequate investment to thrive

Wednesday, 14 August 2019

Our Budget 2020 submission contains a half a billion euro investment package that would allow rural and regional Ireland needs to thrive, including in areas of tourism, rural transport, enterprise, and rural broadband.

What are we doing to prepare for the impact of automation on the regions?

Monday, 29 July 2019

The negative impact on rural towns and communities from the potential fallout from Brexit is receiving welcome attention at present. But what about the other threat to rural Ireland and regional development - the impact that automation and robotics will have on employment across the regions? This issue should be front and centre as Government rolls out the Climate Action Plan and the National Development Plan.