ABSTRACT
This chapter considers rural proofing, a form of rural mainstreaming, as a method of measuring whether access to services in rural areas is problematic or successful. Similar to gender mainstreaming, rural mainstreaming does not identify a particular problem but says all policies must ensure they do not discriminate against rural areas, particularly in relation to service provision. Rural mainstreaming is a conceptual tool intended to deliver fair and equitable treatment by ensuring that the particular needs and circumstances of rural areas are routinely considered across government. In practice, rural mainstreaming can be complex and take on various and multiple forms and characterizations: for example, in England and Northern Ireland, key phrases are rural proofing and rural champion; in Canada it is rural lens; and most recently in Northern Ireland it is rural needs. The rural proofing and rural champion models are relatively unique to England (Organization for Economic and Co-operative Development [OECD], 2011), with similar approaches appearing in some parts of the United Kingdom (UK) and other countries with historic or institutional ties such as Sweden, Canada, and New Zealand. Rural proofing is the means of ensuring all policies are evaluated to see if they have an adverse impact on rural areas. The rural champion is the body tasked with ensuring that rural proofing takes place, and in England and Northern Ireland they are the departments with responsibilities for rural affairs. In this chapter, we are focusing on the recent legislation to address rural needs in Northern Ireland and what impact it will have on service provision.
