Minister Muir publishes Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report for Northern Ireland 2024-2025

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA, has published the eighth Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report.

The Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 places a statutory duty on public authorities to give due regard to the social and economic needs of rural dwellers when exercising their functions, helping to deliver fairer and more balanced outcomes for rural communities. The Annual Monitoring Report provides a formal record of Rural Needs Impact Assessments undertaken across government departments, local councils, and other listed public authorities, and demonstrates how rural needs have been integrated into policy development, service planning, and implementation.

Commenting on the publication, Minister Muir said: “I commend the efforts of all the public authorities who have contributed to this report. Their work demonstrates a growing awareness of rural needs and a unified commitment to achieving fairer results for rural communities.”

This latest report, with 666 Rural Needs Impact Assessments, reflects continued progress in embedding rural considerations into decision‑making processes and highlights the growing awareness among public authorities of the particular challenges faced by rural communities, including access to services, infrastructure constraints, and the need for tailored approaches to policy delivery.

Minister Muir concluded: “I remain steadfast in my dedication to supporting rural areas and ensuring that policymaking continues to reflect the realities of rural life. My Department will continue to work in partnership with the public authorities to promote inclusive, sustainable and resilient rural communities.”

A copy of the Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 is available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-04/25.26.180 Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 2024-2025_0.PDF.