Increasing an awareness of the problems associated with living in rural areas is one of the main objectives of a White Paper on rural development to be published today by the Government.
The document, "Ensuring the future - a strategy for rural development in Ireland", calls for a greater integration of rural policies across several Government departments. It is also understood to recommend more effective policy co-ordination in the provision of State services in rural areas.
Almost 40 per cent of the population live in rural areas with about one-third depending on farming for their livelihood.
The Department of Agriculture and Food, which has primary responsibly for rural development, is understood to see the publication of the White Paper as an opportunity to get the issue on the agenda of the next National Development Plan due to be published in the autumn.
The White Paper is not expected to pre-empt any decisions on rural development to be included in the National Development Plan. One official source said the document would "set out the general principles rather than make a series of costed policy proposals".
The Government's document is expected to address the problem of rural poverty. Deprivation is highest in the western region and the Border counties where difficulties are increased by poor transport; inadequate access to State services and a lack of rural employment opportunities.
The White Paper is understood to make a number of recommendations in relation to the provision of off-farm opportunities for small farmers. In the last five years, 9,000 farmers have opted to avail of the EU early retirement scheme which allows them to leave full-time farming at the age of 55.
The continued development of tourism as a source of additional income in rural areas is believed to be one of the main recommendations. The integration of tourism and training policies to ensure a maximisation of the tourist potential is expected to be emphasised.
An inter-departmental committee involving three Ministers of State, Mr Noel Davern, Mr Robert Molloy and Mr Eamon O Cuiv, prepared the document.