Specific Details
Services for Rural Dwellers
Intended results
Housing:
To highlight concerns from a farmers perspective, including their ability to secure residential planning permission in rural areas and the Residential Zoned land Tax.
To propose that Local Authorities must fully recognise, and not discriminate against, the need for rural housing for farmers and their family members who have an intrinsic link with the rural community.
To propose that development levies are punitive in some counties and should be suspended for rural dwellings (new and extensions to existing).
To propose that all genuinely farmed land must be exempted from Residential Zoned land Tax (RZLT). Local Authorities must ensure only land required in the immediate future, which is fully serviced is zoned and included in maps for Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT). Farmers challenging the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT0 maps and/or applying to Local Authorities to have their land dezoned must be accommodated without being disadvantaged.
Education:
To highlight that nearly 2,000 of the State's primary schools are in rural areas. These schools provide a vital link to local heritage and history, help sustain rural populations and act as a link for sports and social activities.
To propose that Government and Local Authorities must fully support and avoid the closure of small schools, particularly if it is against the wishes of parents.
Childcare:
To highlight that the provision of childcare facilities in rural areas is often challenging, sometimes due to poor availability in low density population areas, coupled with the fact that Government subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme extend only to creche places and Tusla-registered childcare providers.
To propose that currently available financial supports are extended to all childcare providers.
Health:
To highlight that the availability of primary care services (GP's, health and social care professionals, Public Health Nursing) in local communities is essential to meet the needs of rural Ireland, and to avoid excessive demands on acute hospital settings.
To propose that the continued provision of primary care services in rural areas is paramount, requiring adequate investment and resourcing.
To highlight that the current burden of nursing home care on farm families is threatening the viability of the family farm. The needs of older people and low-income families must be addressed.
To propose that the Home Care Package should be introduced under the Nursing Home Support Scheme/Fair Deal to allow older people to be cared for in their own home.
To propose that a reduction of the 5-year land/business transfer clause to a maximum of 3 years to allow more farmers to benefit from the Fair Deal Scheme.
Banking:
To highlight that the agri-sector needs a stable, truly committed, and trusted Banking sector. What exists today is a much diluted version, in terms of personal relationship, competition and overall service provision, with a forced transition towards digital banking and/or an increased reliance on An Post and Credit Unions to mitigate and provide regular community banking services.
To highlight that closure, and/or loss of personal service in many 'operating' Banks represent another dent to the social fabric of many rural towns/villages, serving also significant inconvenience, cost and financial risk to its many businesses and inhabitants.
To highlight that many farmers and rural dwellers are now faced with with being without 24/7 access to cash with the withdrawal of ATMs; forced to travel significant distances (even across country/county boundaries) or wait on hold for hours on dedicated phone lines to conduct day-to-day business transactions.
To propose that, as access to farm finance and working capital is paramount for farmers across all enterprises, it is vitally important that farmers have easy access to sufficient low-cost funding to allow their businesses to trade efficiently,
To propose that the availability of reduced finance such as Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) lending is continued. It must be ensured that such funding is available to all farmers to enable them make their businesses more sustainable from both an environmental and/or a financial perspective.
To propose that significant investment and added resources will be required to support An Post / Credit Unions etc in their efforts to facilitate community banking, with advances needed, not only toward an improved financial offering to the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) market (and competitive nature thereof), but also significant capital investment in their infrastructure/network to facilitate more secure/private financial transitions.
Water:
To highlight that the majority of farm families and rural dwellers provide and pay for their water supply either to Úisce Éireann, their group water scheme or are self sufficient through a private water source on their property. Farmers connected to mains water supplies could be hit with higher water bills, as Úisce Éireann plan to increase water charges, both standing charges and cubic meter costs.
This is very concerning for farmers with multiple connections such as those with fragmented farms.
To propose that The Commission for Regulation of Utilities change direction on the proposed tariff increases and recognise the challenges facing the sector.
To propose that the standard charge per connection is reviewed for farmers with multiple connections and that water charges are linked to a Water Point Reference Number (WPRN) and not each individual connection.
To propose that a new Band 1 is introduced for non-domestic customers with very low water usage i.e. less than 250m³, and that the proposed volumetric water charge is fair and proportionate.
To propose that there is significant continued investment in water and waste management infrastructure and services toward improved performance and supporting implementation of national strategies in relation to public health, safety and environmental compliance.
Rural Transport{
To highlight that to achieve greater accessibility to services in rural areas it is necessary to improve the frequency and reach of public transport services. This would connect isolated individuals in rural areas to their wider communities, while also creating employment opportunities.
To propose the continued roll-out and expansion of the Local Link service, operating 12 months of the year in each local authority area.
To ensure that public transport services in rural and regional areas are accessible to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility.
To propose that a subsidised Local Area Hackney Scheme is developed in designated areas of rural Ireland which are too small or remote to support a full-time taxi or hackney service
Rural roads:
To highlight that, although approximately €30 million has been allocated to the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) which is an important support to help improve country roads and laneways in rural areas, the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funds are sometimes underspent , leading to an ongoing deterioration of rural roads.
To propose that Local Authorities, in collaboration with relevant Government Departments, invest in the local and regional road network to maintain roads to a proper standard and improve regional accessibility.
To propose that each Local Authority should publish Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) expenditure on a quarterly basis each year and also set out their Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) awareness campaign, to maximise uptake.
Recreational Routes:
To highlight that although Irish farmers recognise the importance of recreational routes, such as Greenways and Blueways in promoting agri-tourism and economic activity in rural areas, they also have significant impact on farming activity and rural communities.
To highlight that farmers and rural communities need to be considered in regards to; spanning privacy, safety and security, anti-social behaviour, litter, animal disease, wildlife and environmental issues.
To highlight that, to date, consultation with landowners has been haphazard and, in some instances, non-existent. Landowners are the most important stakeholders in the development process, therefore, there is an obligation on local authorities to work with the lead agency (Department of Transport) to develop a standardised approach of engagement with landowners that all local authorities must follow.
to propose that Landowners and IFA must be consulted
- In advance of route selection and the publication of a defined route corridor.
- In protecting the integrity of farm holdings and using all available public lands.
- In developing a code of practice, which sets out the rights and entitlements of landowners.
- In ensuring landowners are indemnified against any potential claims arising.
- To ensure all health and safety concerns are adequately addressed.
To propose that all efforts must be made to secure voluntary agreements with landowners. There should be no threat of the compulsory acquisition of land.
To propose that any losses incurred, such as exclusion from farm schemes, must be fully compensated.
To propose the appointment of a Project Liaison Officer by Local Authorities, to hold community clinics to address queries and concerns.
Walks Scheme
To highlight that the Walks Scheme has a significant impact on the development of recreational activities, boosting rural tourism and supporting farmers who provide access to their land. While, IFA welcomes the recent expansion of the Walks Scheme, there needs to be provision made for ongoing maintenance grants, and greater promotion and enforcement of the 'No Dogs Allowed' policy for the protection of ground nesting birds, biodiversity and farm animals.
To propose that maintenance grants for new and existing walks must be provided.
To propose that there is greater promotion and stricter enforcement of the ‘No Dogs Allowed' policy.
To propose that any amenities or walkways within the jurisdiction of Local Authorities that are in close proximity to farm lands where animals are grazed must prohibit dogs.
Darragh O'Brien
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
James Browne
Minister of State (Department of Justice)
Joe O'Brien
Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)
Michael McGrath
Minister (Department of Finance)
Micheál Martin
Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Roderic O'Gorman
Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)
Malcolm Noonan
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)