I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. The Government operated a special programme for disadvantaged areas under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. Twelve areas were included in this programme which, from all accounts, was very successful. The successor to this programme under the National Development Plan includes the original 12 areas and a further 21 areas. Why has the south Sligo-north Roscommon region not been included in the designated areas? The region cannot possibly be excluded because it does not qualify under the criteria set out by the Government.
According to the Government statement, the areas included in the plan were chosen after a detailed assessment of the indicators of disadvantage. What is the difference between south Sligo-north Roscommon and County Leitrim in terms of disadvantage? As we all know, County Leitrim has lost half its population since 1926. However, when one breaks down the census of population on a DED basis one can see that precisely the same thing is happening in the south Sligo-north Roscommon region. While I am very pleased that County Leitrim has been included in the plan, I do not know why the Minister did not include south Sligo-north Roscommon.
I wish to refer to some of the areas which will benefit from inclusion in this very valuable scheme. Mayo central, where there will be a by-election, has been added to Mayo north which had been included. Donegal, Connemara, east Galway, Limerick west, Offaly north, Kildare north-west rural, Monaghan, Cavan, Longford and Westmeath rural have also been included. What disadvantages afflict these areas which do not afflict south Sligo-north Roscommon? The people of south Sligo-north Roscommon know that these areas do not suffer from any other disadvantage and all they have to do is to look at conditions in their neighbouring counties to see that this is the case.
Has the Government excluded this area because it believes the unemployment level is not high enough? The unemployment level there is well above the average even though the numbers on the live register are artificially reduced by the many social employment schemes and other programmes. In addition, this area suffers from a high level of emigration: because there are no jobs available the young people emigrate to England or America or migrate. All the socio-economic indicators show a serious decline in population. The population in south Sligo-north Roscommon decreased by 6.9 per cent during the period 1986-91 and in some parts it decreased by as much as 10 per cent. This evidence of disadvantage cannot be refuted. I will never understand the aberration which occurred in the Taoiseach's office to exclude this area from the scheme.
The local development programme can be very valuable in aiding community endeavour and no where is this community endeavour flourishing better than in south Sligo-north Roscommon. The Taoiseach will be aware of this from the submissions from people in this area which litter his office. There is no statistical or logical reason for excluding this area from the scheme.
The Taoiseach is very familiar with conditions there. The communities are trying valiantly to help themselves but there is widespread disappointment and disillusion at the failure of the Government to give them this extra helping hand which has been made available to less disadvantaged areas. The people want to build their own future, improve the quality of their lives, solve their own socio-economic problems and generate employment for the long-term unemployed. I call on the Taoiseach to include south Sligo-north Roscommon in a new disadvantaged area or the extension of some of the adjoining areas.
