I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, on 28 January. The NESC report No. 102 on population distribution and economic development provides a very thought-provoking analysis of population distribution patterns in Ireland and an assessment of consequent policy implications. The report finds, inter alia, that counties Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan remain on the margins of the urbanisation process and, as a result, endure relative disadvantage in economic development. Consequently, the NESC recommends special area based measures for these counties which would take due account of local conditions and resources in policy development and implementation.
As a first step, I have referred the report to relevant Ministers and Departments for their deliberation. I should point out, at the same time, that a number of innovative initiatives are already under way to assist the disadvantaged counties in question, for example, Interreg rural resettlement and local development programmes. These initiatives are complemented in the cases of counties Cavan and Leitrim by other measures operating under the auspices of the International Fund for Ireland and the EU Peace and Reconciliation Fund. All these proactive programmes represent serious attempts to alleviate and perhaps eventually redress the relative disadvantage suffered by the counties in question. The NESC report No. 102 is particularly timely, having regard to the preparation at present of a White Paper on rural development. That paper will be used in the next round of the CAP negotiations and will take into account not just agriculture, but rural development in its broadest sense, including from the perspectives of education, industry and infrastructure.
