Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Population Decrease.

John Connor

Question:

2 Mr. Connor asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been a serious drop in the population in the western and some midland counties as revealed in the preliminary report on the 1991 Census of Population where, since 1986 the population of Roscommon has declined by 5 per cent, the population of Mayo has declined by 3.9 per cent, the population of Leitrim has declined by 6.4 per cent and the population of Longford has declined by 3.8 per cent; and if he will make a statement on these demographic trends.

The Taoiseach

Out of the 26 counties, 19 experienced a decrease in population over the years 1986-91. Notable exceptions to this were Dublin and its surrounding counties and the regional centres of Galway and Waterford. The average annual estimates rate of net migration per 1,000 of average population in each of the four provinces is quite similar. The fact that these figures are derived estimates means that it is not clear whether migration is to another county or abroad. The figures for individual counties may, therefore, reflect movement within provinces over the period, as well as movement elsewhere.

I am circulating a statement which compares the population figures to which the Deputy refers to the corresponding figures for each of the Census periods since 1966. The statement shows that the 1986-91 experience is very similar to that of 1966-71.

Percentage Changes in Population, 1966 to 1991.

	1966-71	1971-79	1979-81	1981-86	1986-91
Roscommon	-4.8	+1.2	+0.6	+0.0	-5.0
Mayo	-5.2	+4.1	+0.6	+0.4	-3.9
Leitrim	-7.2	-1.8	-0.8	-2.1	-6.4
Longford	-2.6	+9.0	+1.1	+1.1	-3.8
Total Population of State	+3.3	+13.1	+2.2	+2.8	-0.5

Mr. Connor

I disagree to some extent with what the Taoiseach said because I believe one would have to go back to the period 1951-56 to get figures similar to those issued by the Taoiseach. Would the Taoiseach agree that this is in great measure a manifestation of the failure of regional policy, the policy of cohesion, which we must take on board as part of the Single European Act? It is because regional funding which would strengthen areas is not being applied by the Government to areas which have very weak structues that we get this result.

The Taoiseach

I do not accept that. In so far as the infrastructure is concerned, there has been very considerable progress, particularly under the recent National Development Plan, financed to a large extent by the Structural Funds. There is a very major element of decentralisation in many areas of our administration. For instance in the health services there are regional hospitals in the major provincial centres and there have been considerable improvements in infrastructure such as airports, major roads and so on. I do not think the decline in rural population can be attributed to a lack of major infrastructure. I am afraid that the decline in rural populations is something all Europe is experiencing at present.

Mr. Connor

I do not agree with the Taoiseach's statement about the distribution of regional or structural funding to regions where the economic structure is very weak. We all know——

An Ceann Comhairle

A question, Deputy, please.

Mr. Connor

It is a question.

An Ceann Comhairle

It is not a question, Deputy.

Mr. Connor

Would the Taoiseach agree that the level of funding to the disadvantaged or less favoured regions is far less by every criterion than to more favoured regions on the east and south-east coasts?

The Taoiseach

No, I could not accept that, but I will accept that it is a subject for discussion. I would point to a number of major infrastructural improvements, such as airports, in the western region and other infrastructural improvements of a major kind.

Mr. Connor

Can the Taoiseach give us figures?

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 3 please.