Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 2

Written Answers. - Rural Development.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

17 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that rural areas have experienced or benefited from economic growth and increased employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11899/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The rapid growth in employment in the past ten years has been dispersed throughout the country. While employment statistics comparing urban and rural areas are unavailable, the CSO quarterly national household survey provides information on a regional basis. Employment has risen by 48% since 1991, with an increase of 39% in the BMW region and 51% in the southern and eastern region. In 2000-01, employment growth was higher in the BMW region at 3.7% compared to 2.4% elsewhere. The strong regional spread of employment growth reflects the success of many agencies in attracting new businesses and creating employment in rural areas, as well as people's eagerness to reside in such areas. Employment growth is reflected in the 1999-2000 CSO household budget survey, which shows a substantial increase in gross incomes across all household categories: farm, non-farm, rural and urban. The gross income of farm households increased by 40% to €33,111 since the previous survey in 1994-95. Of particular note was an almost twofold increase in off-farm income among farm households. The income of other rural households rose by 50% to €28,670 and urban households' gross income rose by 56% to €37,661.

All rural areas have not benefited to the same extent, however. The Government committed in the PPF to establish a targeted investment programme in urban and rural disadvantaged areas. The rural strand of the programme, known as CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais), was launched in October 2001. It is designed to tackle the problems of depopulation, decline and lack of services in the most disadvantaged rural areas. The 16 areas selected for the programme are those which have suffered the greatest population decline since 1926, with the exception of the Cooley Peninsula which has been included based on the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease. The average population loss in these areas is 50% and 284,000 people will benefit from the programme. CLÁR's aim is to front-load NDP spending in the selected areas. An extra dedicated budget of €12.7 million per annum has been allocated to ensure the programme's success in 2002 and 2003. Priority investments, as identified by the communities which will be eligible for funding will cover infrastructure, social and community services.

To date measures relating to non-national roads, local improvement scheme roads, group water schemes, small public water schemes, major and minor health projects, urban and village enhancement schemes, bilingual signage schemes, top-up funding under the sport capital grants schemes and specific funding for the islands in CLÁR areas have been put in place. These measures have been agreed with the lead Departments or State agencies, as appropriate. Other funding proposals are being discussed with the relevant Departments or State agencies and it is hoped to be in a position to make an announcement on the roll-out of these programmes very shortly.