IFA president Eddie Downey unveiled the Charter at the Dublin Horse Show in Dublin on Thursday, calling on the Government to introduce targeted policies and increase investment in the rural economy.
In addition to commitments made to the agriculture and food industry under the Rural Development Programme and the Food Wise 2025 strategy, the IFA wants to see coordinated measures to reinforce infrastructure and public services outside the main cities and more incentives for rural enterprises in general.
“The most recent CSO figures show contrasting unemployment rates across the country, ranging from 8.8% in Dublin to 12% and 13% in the west, midlands and southeast regions,” Downey said. “Investment in rural enterprises outside of the main urban areas must be a strategic focus of Government.”
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Broadband and tax reliefs
Following calls for fairer taxation in its pre-budget submission last month, the IFA makes further recommendations for the use of public funds in its Charter for Rural Ireland, including:
delivery on the commitment to provide a high-quality rural fibre broadband network across rural Ireland;
introduction of tax credits to encourage employers to take on apprentices and create sustainable employment in rural communities hit by emigration;
incentives such as double tax relief on rental expenditure and concessions on commercial rates in villages and town centres where businesses left during the recession.
Garda presence and roads.
The IFA has also called for increased resources for public services in rural areas:
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IFA president Eddie Downey unveiled the Charter at the Dublin Horse Show in Dublin on Thursday, calling on the Government to introduce targeted policies and increase investment in the rural economy.
In addition to commitments made to the agriculture and food industry under the Rural Development Programme and the Food Wise 2025 strategy, the IFA wants to see coordinated measures to reinforce infrastructure and public services outside the main cities and more incentives for rural enterprises in general.
“The most recent CSO figures show contrasting unemployment rates across the country, ranging from 8.8% in Dublin to 12% and 13% in the west, midlands and southeast regions,” Downey said. “Investment in rural enterprises outside of the main urban areas must be a strategic focus of Government.”
Broadband and tax reliefs
Following calls for fairer taxation in its pre-budget submission last month, the IFA makes further recommendations for the use of public funds in its Charter for Rural Ireland, including:
delivery on the commitment to provide a high-quality rural fibre broadband network across rural Ireland;
introduction of tax credits to encourage employers to take on apprentices and create sustainable employment in rural communities hit by emigration;
incentives such as double tax relief on rental expenditure and concessions on commercial rates in villages and town centres where businesses left during the recession.
Garda presence and roads.
The IFA has also called for increased resources for public services in rural areas:
greater policing hours and Garda mobile units;
an increased and ring-fenced annual rural roads budget from the Department of Transport, allocated to local authorities as part of a planned repair and maintenance programme;
more rural walk schemes to support economic development and tourism, as well as Department of Transport support to facilitate the development of proposed greenway projects, while protecting farmers’ rights;
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