Midlands MEP discusses community initiatives with Irish Rural Link

Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh paid a recent visit to Moate where she met with Irish Rural Link to discuss the challenges and opportunities for communities.

Based in Moate, Irish Rural Link is the primary national network in Ireland that advocates for sustainable rural development.

The visit offered an opportunity for Irish Rural Link Chief Executive Officer Briain Smith to showcase the breadth of its activities across multiple ongoing projects and initiatives supporting rural development and communities across Ireland.

Irish Rural Link leads partnerships in key rural projects such as CAP Network Ireland, the National Meals on Wheels Network, AgriKids farm safety, the Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership, and two PEACEPLUS cross-border initiatives encouraging rural development in the border regions, amongst others.

Irish Rural Link is also involved in five European-funded projects and collaborative networks, and advocates on rural issues at national and EU level to influence policy and present a strong voice for rural communities.

Discussions during the visit highlighted Irish Rural Link's work in rural development, social inclusion, community resilience, transport, climate action, and supporting under-represented groups in rural areas.

A key focus of the meeting was the proposed new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and its implications for rural development. Irish Rural Link outlined the importance of maintaining strong investment in rural communities, with particular emphasis on protecting and strengthening the LEADER programme, which continues to play a vital role in supporting locally-led development, community enterprise and economic diversification across rural Ireland.

Speaking on this issue, Maria Walsh MEP, commended the work of LEADER and its positive impact in rural communities.

"LEADER has been a cornerstone of rural development in Ireland for generations. It has provided vital investment for strengthening communities and supporting local initiatives.

"As discussions on the next CAP budget continue, and in the absence of Pillar II, ensuring that funding for rural development remains protected and enhanced is a priority for rural organisations.

"The loss of the LEADER programme would be felt most acutely in disadvantaged and remote rural areas, where its impact on communities over the years has been really quite significant," the MEP said.

Discussing the need for continued investment in Ireland's rural transport network, Irish Rural Link emphasised the importance of expanding and improving accessible, affordable and reliable public transport services to ensure rural communities remain connected to employment, education, healthcare and essential services.

Gender equality and the challenges facing women living in rural Ireland formed another important aspect of the meeting.

Irish Rural Link discussed the ongoing need to address domestic violence against women, strengthen supports for victims and survivors, and create greater opportunities to help women return to the workforce through accessible childcare, flexible employment opportunities, training and improved transport connections.

Speaking following the meeting, Briain Smyth, CEO of Irish Rural Link, said the meeting was a valuable opportunity to highlight the work that the group were undertaking with communities.

"We’re very appreciative of Maria's engagement on the key issues raised including the future of the LEADER programme, rural transport, and ensuring that women living in rural areas have access to the supports and opportunities they need to participate fully in society and the economy," the CEO said.