The Department of Rural and Community Development is calling on the expertise of the Economic and Social Policy Research Institute (ESRI) to help shape future policy.

ESRI has signed a joint research agreement with the Department which will see research and analysis undertaken to help inform policy making decisions and build on the work currently being made.

Welcoming the agreement, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD said: "I am happy to announce a joint research programme between my Department and the ESRI. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2017 – 2020 highlights the important contribution that increased research and evaluation can make to ensure that the impact of our work for communities is fully understood.

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"The Department of Rural and Community Development supports projects and initiatives in communities throughout Ireland. This three year research programme will enable the Department to measure the impact of those supports on the ground. This will help inform how the Department develops its programmes and targets expenditure more effectively into the future.

"I look forward to seeing the valuable research which will be produced under this agreement, and its contribution to informing rural and community development policy in Ireland."

ESRI Director, Alan Barrett added: "Under this research programme, the ESRI is looking forward to applying its analytical expertise to assist the Department in its important roles. The regional distribution of economic activity and societal well-being is becoming more prominent in our research agenda, reflecting the stage of Ireland's economic development and the broader policy context."

(CM/MH)