Vol. 482 No. 3
4 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Taoiseach the numbers of townlands in counties Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan which recorded a population presence in the census of 1926 but which did not record a population presence in the census of 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/97]
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in a statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The information is indicative only as statistics are not normally available at less than electoral ward level and because of the evolution in townland boundaries since 1926. The statement shows that approximately 1,226 townlands have been depopulated in the interim, representing some 6.2 per cent of the total number of 19,779 townlands recorded in 1926.
Number of populated townlands according to the 1926 Census of Population which were unpopulated according to the 1996 Census.
|
Province or County |
Number of Townlands |
|
Connacht |
810 |
|
Galway |
235 |
|
Leitrim |
166 |
|
Mayo |
177 |
|
Roscommon |
161 |
|
Sligo |
71 |
|
Ulster (part of) |
416 |
|
Cavan |
132 |
|
Donegal |
179 |
|
Monaghan |
105 |
|
Total Connacht and Ulster (part of) |
1,226 |
(Mayo): I thank the Minister of State for the information. Could he give the population figures for the eight counties mentioned in the question?
The number of townlands in Connacht shows a reduction of 810 and in the three relevant counties of Ulster there has been a reduction of 416 townlands. The Deputy can see there has been a substantial reduction in the number of townlands, a total of 1,226 having been depopulated.
(Mayo): Has the Minister the population figures for the eight counties?
That is given in the reply to the next question. The reply to this question involved extremely extensive research on the part of the officials, because of the detailed nature of the inquiry, and they are to be complimented on the extent of the research. They pored over some 20,000 townlands to get the information required, which will be valuable in planning terms.
