1996/99
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Rural decline reaches alarming proportions
18 March 1998
URGENT STRATEGY SOUGHT TO REVERSE POPULATION TREND
By Tom Kelly
The population decline in Mayo's rural community has reached alarming proportions, according to one of the county's leading planners.
Mr. Iain Douglas, an executive planner with Mayo County Council, called for urgent steps to redress the imbalance.
He outlined that most rural areas of the county had experienced a two and a half per cent loss in population over the past five years. . .even though the population of the county had increased marginally
Mr. Douglas said a significant factor in the decline of rural Mayo was the increase in the numbers of people living in the main urban centres of Castlebar, Ballina and Westport.
The three urban centres are growing rapidly and now represent 91% of the county's population. Castlebar is the biggest growth area with a 23.46% jump in the town's population since 1993.
Mr. Douglas stated Mayo still had a strong rural population, but the writing was on the wall.'
If we want to reverse the trend we have got to take immediate steps. We must define a strategy and examine what can be done before rural decline goes too far.
My figures only reaffirm what people have known in the hearts for a long time. The important thing is that we act immediately to put a development plan in place.'
Mr. Douglas said the only rural town in Mayo which showed an increase in population was Knock.
The biggest problem is that there has been a lack of major investment in our smaller towns and villages. As a result, people are being drawn to where the work is.
The IDA must be encouraged to introduce a more regional policy. Serious questions must be answered about this whole issue.'
Mr. Pat Kilbane, chairman, Mayo County Council, believed the decline of rural communities was one of the biggest problems facing the authority.
We will give our full backing and financial support to any move to reverse the trend,' he added.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1998
