Mayo represented at forum discussions focused on socially inclusive rural Ireland

MORE than 100 rural stakeholders and practitioners have joined Minister Joe O’Brien to discuss tackling exclusion and isolation in rural Ireland.

The Minister of State with responsibility for community development and charities opened the sixth Rural Ideas Forum - a virtual gathering of key rural stakeholders who got together to generate ideas about tackling exclusion and isolation in rural Ireland through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and other social inclusion initiatives, with the opportunity for the discussion to contribute to the development of the next iteration of SICAP, which is due to commence in 2024.

There was key inputs at the event from Maria Molloy, AMACH LGBT, Justin Sammon, Mayo North East local Development Company, and Eamonn O’Reilly, CEO, North East/West Kerry Development Company.

Minister O’Brien said he was particularly interested in hearing fresh ideas as to how we can work to improve the lives of those living in rural areas who might be experiencing difficulties.

He later tweeted that, as an example, huge opportunities exist in growing the use of community transport.

Referencing Our Rural Future, the department’s flagship policy, Minister O’Brien said: “These events are an important element in our ongoing engagement with rural stakeholders and citizens under the government’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future. This is a hugely ambitious plan for rural Ireland and one which is already having a positive impact in communities, towns and villages across the country.

“I have seen the impact of work of SICAP on communities and also the passion and enthusiasm of SICAP workers to ensure that no-one is left behind. But there is definitely a lot more to do as we prepare for the next iteration of SICAP and today’s event will help inform the work of my department in developing the programme.”