Left out in thecold: A review of rural homelessness in ireland 8 Inclusion of people who are homeless in rural specific schemes and developments It is important that people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are included as a target group in initiatives and developments in rural areas. Their needs may actually be similar to other excluded or vulnerable groups who are already targeted. Examples A. Rural Development Policy has a role to play in helping tackle rural homelessness and this needs to be incorporated at a national and EU level. LEADER is an EU instrument for local development which allows local authorities to develop their area. It helps local rural communities to implement strategies for improving quality of life, which can also address social inclusion issues40. A new Commission for Economic Development in rural areas was established in October 2012 to carry out an extensive public consultation on the future economic potential of rural Ireland and how best to channel funding and resources between 2013 and 2025. One of its objectives is that Ireland is recognised as a modern, fair, socially 20 inclusive and equal society41. In order to achieve this they must recognise addressing homelessness is a central part to their objective on achieving a social inclusive and equal society as both a rural and an urban phenomenon. B. TheRural Transport Scheme was set up to provide a quality public transport system nationwide in rural Ireland responding to local needs42. The scheme provides a door to door service so is useful to people with mobility difficulties or who may live a few miles from nearest main road. However, the service is not suitable for everyone as times are not regular meaning people cannot always rely on it to make appointments. More flexibility is needed within the scheme so everyone who needs to can make more use of the service. We recommend • People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are included as a target group for inclusion in initiatives and developments in rural areas. 40 www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/RuralDevelopmentProgrammeLEADER2007-2013/ 41 www.ruralireland.ie/ 42 https://www.pobal.ie/FundingProgrammes/RuralTransportProgramme/Pages/Rural%20Transport%20Programme.aspx
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
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