Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 7

Written Answers. - Westmeath Population Statistics.

Paul McGrath

Question:

46 Mr. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the population in each of the years 1981, 1986 and 1991 of each area within the Delvin and Coole rural districts of County Westmeath; the population decline in percentage terms; and the plans, if any, he has to arrest this decline and give new hope to rural areas. [2899/95]

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Carey)

The statistical information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following schedule.

I take this opportunity to outline my responsibility, as Minister of State, in relation to rural areas. My key task is to develop and oversee the implementation of policies to support renewal and regeneration at local level. The important issue of access to essential public services will also be within my remit and I propose to undertake a pilot initiative on the use of a single, easily accessible location to provide a number of public services. This initiative will initially be piloted in the west.

In addition to the operation of policies at national level to support rural renewal, a number of special initiatives are being taken at local level to encourage enterprise and community development. These include the county enterprise boards, the Leader groups and the area based partnerships in disadvantaged areas, both urban and rural. Each of these initiatives has an important role to play in the regeneration of the rural economy and the relevant Ministers will be responsible for ensuring that this role is fully reflected in the individual initiatives under their remit.

Population

District Electoral Division	1981	% Change	1986	% Change	1991
WESTMEATH COUNTY
Coole Rural District	1,869	-4.8%	1,779	-8.4%	1,629
Boherquill	138	-2.2%	135	-26.7%	99
Coole	251	3.6%	260	-11.9%	229
Coolure	299	-4.3%	286	-3.5%	276
Finnea	264	1.9%	269	-3.7%	259
Glore	196	-30.1%	137	-17.5%	113
Knockarrow	129	-10.9%	115	-16.5%	96
Rathowen	289	-3.1%	280	1.4%	284
Street	303	-2.0%	297	-8.1%	273
Devlin Rural District	6,133	-0.9%	6,075	-6.0%	5,712
Ballinlough	165	-5.5%	156	-10.2%	140
Ballyhealy	182	-3.3%	176	-3.4%	170
Ballynaskeagh	246	-13.0%	214	-11.7%	189
Bracklin	185	0.5%	186	-1.6%	183
Clonarney	320	10.9%	355	-0.3%	354
Collinstown	292	2.7%	300	4.3%	313
Copperalley	248	-11.7%	219	-12.8%	191
Delvin	501	1.6%	509	-1.8%	500
Faughalstown	198	19.7%	237	-7.2%	220
Fore East	278	0.4%	279	1.4%	283
Fore West	318	-10.4%	285	-11.2%	253
Hilltown	260	3.8%	270	-11.1%	240
Kilcumny	206	-15.0%	175	-12.0%	154
Killua	557	2.9%	573	-6.8%	534
Killulagh	306	-3.6%	295	-6.8%	275
Kilpatrick	149	-2.0%	146	-2.0%	143
Kinturk	1,111	-0.3%	1,108	-7.0%	1,030
Riverdale	290	-5.9%	273	-11.0%	243
Rosmead	321	-0.6%	319	-6.9%	297