Declining farm incomes, rural housing, and the availability - or otherwise - of broadband communications are among the issues to be discussed at a Teagasc conference on rural development in Tullamore, Co Offaly, next Tuesday.
The second rural development conference organised by Teagasc, "Rural Futures", will focus on the future of rural communities as well as presenting research and case studies on good development practice.
Sessions will be devoted to aspects of rural development including tourism in rural areas, forestry, specialised food and the needs of farm families.
The conference will discuss the disparity in rural incomes in different regions. It will also hear how the profile of rural Ireland has changed dramatically.
Contributors will include: Mr Alan Dukes, former government minister and current director general of the Institute of European Affairs, who will chair one of the opening sessions; Ms Caríosa Lynch, of the Western Development Commission; and Mr Pat Moyan, of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The conference is aimed at those involved in rural development including rural dwellers, members of development groups and politicians or public servants, combining the latest research in rural development and practical experience.
According to Teagasc, the National Spatial Strategy and the Programme for Rural Development constitute evidence of official concern about life in rural Ireland, which is hugely influenced by European policy-making including decisions on CAP reform.