National policies and frameworks set the context for many local decisions and priorities. This section links key national strategies and policy documents that are relevant to community participation, social inclusion, environment, planning and wellbeing.
Planning, Development and Investment
- Project Ireland 2040 – National Planning Framework – sets the long-term national framework for spatial planning and development.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6e42d-national-planning-framework
- National Development Plan – outlines national investment priorities for housing, transport, climate action, infrastructure and community development.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/774e2-national-development-plan-2021-2030
Housing and Homelessness
- Housing for All – Ireland’s national housing strategy guiding housing supply, affordability and delivery.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef5ec-housing-for-all-a-new-housing-plan-for-ireland/ - Housing First National Implementation Plan – supports responses to long-term homelessness through a housing-led approach.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9e0bb-housing-first-national-implementation-plan/
Community Development, Participation and PPN
- Public Participation Network (PPN) Framework – sets out the national framework for community participation in local decision-making through PPNs.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5c2c4-public-participation-networks/ - SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) Framework – supports community development and social inclusion at local level.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap/ - Our Rural Future – national policy supporting sustainable rural communities and participation.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/233c2-our-rural-future/ - LEADER Programme Framework – supports locally-led rural development through community-based approaches.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/leader-programme/ - National Action Plan on Open Government – promotes transparency, participation and accountability in public decision-making.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/open-government/
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights
- Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty – requires public bodies to consider equality and human rights in decision-making.
https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/public-sector-duty/ - National Disability Inclusion Strategy – supports access, participation and inclusion for people with disabilities.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0a7d6-national-disability-inclusion-strategy/ - National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy – addresses equality, accommodation, education and participation.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3e98c-national-traveller-and-roma-inclusion-strategy/ - National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy – promotes equality, safety and inclusion for LGBTI+ communities.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8d8a3-lgbti-inclusion-strategy/ - National Social Inclusion Policy Frameworks – guide action on poverty reduction and equality.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/social-inclusion/
Health, Wellbeing and Children
- Healthy Ireland Framework – national framework for improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9374-healthy-ireland-framework/ - Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – national framework for children and young people.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/10fcb-better-outcomes-brighter-futures/ - Sharing the Vision – national mental health policy.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2e8f1-sharing-the-vision/
Climate, Environment and Biodiversity
- Climate Action Plan – sets national targets and actions to reduce emissions and respond to climate change.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2024/ - National Climate Adaptation Framework – supports adaptation to climate impacts.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0d43f-national-climate-adaptation-framework/ - National Biodiversity Action Plan – outlines priorities to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8f1f6-national-biodiversity-action-plan-2023-2027/ - Circular Economy Strategy – supports waste reduction, reuse and sustainable resource use.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8f8e9-circular-economy-strategy/
Transport and Accessibility
- Sustainable Mobility Policy – promotes walking, cycling, public transport and reduced car dependency.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f2c4-sustainable-mobility-policy/ - National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI) – guides transport investment decisions.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2c4f1-national-investment-framework-for-transport-in-ireland/ - National Walking and Cycling Policy – supports active travel and accessibility.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/84d33-national-walking-and-cycling-policy/
Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
- National Sports Policy – sets national priorities for sport and physical activity participation.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4e1b2-national-sports-policy-2018-2027/ - Sport Ireland Participation Frameworks – support inclusive participation in sport and recreation.
https://www.sportireland.ie/participation
Volunteering and Civic Engagement
- National Volunteering Strategy – supports volunteering, participation and community engagement.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2a7b5-national-volunteering-strategy/
Policy, equality and human rights
- Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty – guidance
Explains how public bodies consider equality and human rights in decision-making.
https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/public-sector-duty/ - Equality and Human Rights explained
Plain-language information on equality and human rights in Ireland.
https://www.ihrec.ie/your-rights/
Data, evidence and local information
- Census data (Central Statistics Office)
Official population and demographic data to support funding applications and policy engagement.
https://www.cso.ie/en/census/ - Local authority data and profiles
Access to local profiles and statistics relevant to community planning.
https://www.localgov.ie/en/data-and-statistics
Community development and funding context
- SICAP – programme overview
Explains the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and its objectives.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap/ - Community development resources
Guides and supports for community groups engaging in development and participation.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/community-development/