The Government’s updated National Development Plan offers no clear vision for rural Ireland — no targeted funding, no project pipeline, and no commitment to addressing the everyday infrastructure deficits facing rural communities.
That’s according to Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness, who said the review “picks up where the anti-rural National Planning Framework left off, and repeats old promises while ignoring the needs of one-third of the population.”
“There is no capital plan here for rural roads, rural housing, or public transport. No investment path for digital hubs, Garda stations, community centres or rural health facilities. The review makes no mention of the LEADER programme or local development companies. It offers no rural-proofing of investment and no regional delivery mechanism.”
“This was a chance to show ambition — but instead, the Government has offered a reprint of existing announcements padded by construction inflation. There’s nothing new for the rural families, workers, or communities who are struggling to access basic services.”
McGuinness said the omission of rural-focused community infrastructure is especially stark:
“There’s no forward plan for schemes like CLÁR, Town and Village Renewal, or the Community Centres Investment Fund. No joined-up thinking on how rural regeneration, social inclusion, or local development will be delivered. That tells rural communities everything they need to know.”
He concluded:
“Sinn Féin has called for rural capital investment to be hardwired into national planning — with ring-fenced rural budgets, regional targets, and direct investment in roads, homes, and public services. Until that happens, rural Ireland will continue to be left waiting for a Government that is clearly not listening.”
ENDS
Conor D. McGuinness TD 