Lobby group seeks Budget measures to end rural isolation
A lobby group set up to promote rural development has demanded that the Government fund a range of measures to end the isolation of many rural communities.
Irish Rural Link has called on Finance Minister Brian Cowen to use his Budget on Wednesday to tackle the problems of a dwindling population, services and employment in many rural areas.
The organisation has called for increased spending on social welfare, education, health and children.
It said that, if those measures were coupled with an extension of the rural social scheme, the establishment of a rural housing commission and the rural proofing of all policies in the Budget, they would greatly improve the quality of life for country people.
