Minister’s statement following publication of the Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA has made a written statement to the Assembly following the publication of the Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report April 2022 – March 2023.

In his statement, Minister Muir said: “The combination of geographical isolation, fewer public transport links and low population density often impact on the ability of people in rural areas to access public services and therefore adopting the same approach to public service delivery in rural areas as in urban areas may not always be appropriate. The Rural Needs Impact Assessment process helps ensure that public authorities understand the impact of their policies on people in rural areas and consider how any differential impact might be addressed to ensure that rural communities are not disadvantaged.”

The Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 places a duty on public authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, implementing, revising or adopting policies, strategies and plans and when designing and delivering public services and the report contains information on how this duty is fulfilled. 

Continuing his statement, Minister Muir said: “The report includes details of 502 Rural Needs Impact Assessments including 165 undertaken by Northern Ireland government departments, 162 undertaken by local councils and 175 undertaken by other public authorities. These cover a wide range of policy areas and the volume and diverse range of the activities covered indicates that the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 is now well embedded within public authorities and that policymakers are now more aware of the duty to consider the needs of people in rural areas when developing and implementing policies and when designing and delivering public services.”

The Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report April 2022 – March 2023.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report April 2022 – March 2023 was published on the DAERA website on 9 January 2024.
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