Inclusive of amendments of 30 September 2008, of 15 May 2009
Download 5.36 Mb.
|
1. TitleRural Development Programme, Ireland, 2007-2013. 2. Geographical area covered by the planThe programme covers the total territory of Ireland. 3. Analysis of the situation in terms of strengths and weaknesses, the strategy chosen to meet them and the ex-ante evaluation 3.1 Introduction This programme is based on the EU framework for rural development and on the national rural development strategy formulated in line with that framework. The programme for Ireland sets three main priorities:
The first two priorities are directed primarily at the agricultural sector. Their competitiveness and environmental focus reflects the multifunctional nature of the sectors. This theme is also evident in the AgriVision 2015 Action Plan for the agri-food sector. That plan is based on the vision of ‘an industry attaining optimal levels of efficiency, competitiveness and responsiveness to the market while also respecting and enhancing the physical environment’. The measures in this programme are fully consistent with that vision. Agriculture is not the only contributor to rural development. Forty per cent of the population consider themselves rural dwellers, with most unconnected to farming. The third EU priority – quality of life and diversification – recognises this. It is relevant to all rural dwellers including farmers, particularly in view of the growth in part-time farming. The challenges in the wider context include the provision of alternative and suitable employment opportunities for people living in rural areas and a range of services that people now want and expect locally. In this programme, actions centred on the wider rural community such as the development of rural enterprises based on local natural resources, tourism, village enhancement and environmental initiatives will be delivered in a manner that addresses these challenges and complements on-farm measures. The measures are consistent with the 1999 White Paper on Rural Development and its commitments relating to the economic and social well-being of rural communities. The Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013 was launched in July 2007. Following on from the “CAP Health Check” agreement in November 2008 and the approval of an Economic Recovery Package at EU level, the RDP was revised to reflect the new priorities identified therein viz climate change, renewable energies, water management, biodiversity, measures accompanying restructuring of the dairy sector, innovation, and broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Additional changes were also introduced to the programme, particularly a more focussed and targeted approach to competitiveness issues, so as to ensure the continued effectiveness of the programme in the face of a difficult economic and budgetary environment. A final introductory point concerns the format and the analysis used in this programme. The format is based on that prescribed by EU legislation. The analysis is based heavily on, and to a large extent repeats, the position set out in Ireland’s rural development strategy. This reflects the fact that Ireland is adopting a single-programme approach for its whole territory. 3.1.1 General socio-economic context of the geographical area: Definition of the rural area The basis and rationale for the definition of rural areas as outlined in the National Strategy Plan (NSP) is the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), which was adopted in 2002 as part of the National Development Plan 2000–2006. The NSS is a twenty-year planning framework designed to foster more balanced physical, economic and social development across regions and areas. Infrastructural and economic investment under the NSS is targeted on the development of key gateway and hub cities and towns in the different regions. Priorities identified in the NSS for rural areas include the provision of appropriate community infrastructure, the provision of economic opportunities and further the development of leisure and cultural facilities. The National Rural Development Programme will complement the NSS by focusing on areas outside the regional urban targeting of the NSS. These areas account for 72 per cent of the national population (see Table 2a, Appendix 1). A number of small-to medium-sized towns that do not meet the OECD definition of rural areas, i.e. less than 150 persons/km2 (see map, Appendix1) will continue to be included in rural programming. Many of these towns are located in close proximity to the Greater Dublin Area and so experience significant threat from urban sprawl. The remainder are located in key regional areas where population stabilisation is a priority. The five broad categories of rural areas identified in the NSP demonstrate the different rural characteristics and needs. But to complete the picture of rural Ireland another category must be recognised, viz. peri-urban areas. These are areas close to, and under the influence of, main urban centres. Features include high population densities and levels of commuting to work with relatively low reliance on farming.1 The five broad rural area types in Ireland as described by the NSS:
Directory: media -> migration media -> The milk carton kids media -> Events Date and Location media -> The Gilded Age: The First Generation of Historians by H. Wayne Morgan University of Oklahoma, April 18, 1997 media -> Analysis of Law in the United Kingdom pertaining to Cross-Border Disaster Relief Prepared by: For the 30 June 2010 Foreword media -> Cuba fieldcourse 2010 migration -> Submissions received from the public consultation on a proposal to increase the allocation to the Celtic Sea Herring Sentinel Fishery for 2016 Proposal migration -> Background Paper Food, Beverages, Nutrition & pcf migration -> Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea-fishing Boat Licensing Policy migration -> Of the burren farming for conservation programme migration -> Of the burren farming for conservation programme Download 5.36 Mb. Share with your friends:
|