Commission to focus on rural Ireland

A Rural Commission will gather information over the next eight months on the economic potential of rural Ireland and how best to channel funding and resources between 2013 and 2025.

The commission will examine ‘outside the farm gate’ aspects of economic development in rural areas and will prepare a report by the end of 2013.

According to Teagasc, a jobs strategy for rural Ireland is particularly relevant, because unemployment has increased more in rural areas, particularly in small towns.