asked the Taoiseach if he is aware that there is a continuing decline in population in the west of Ireland and particularly in County Mayo; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this very serious situation.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Population.
10.
asked the Taoiseach if he will state the decline which has taken place in the population of Connaught between the date of the 1966 census and the date of the 1971 census; and what further action the Government propose to take to arrest this decline.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The latest statistics available show that the decrease in population of the western counties in the five years to 1971 was almost 15,000 less than in the preceding five-year period and about 31,000 less than in 1956 to 1961. Certain areas showed increases in population for the first time in the present century.
The population of Connaught decreased by 12,187 between the dates of the 1966 census and the 1971 census, representing a percentage decline of 3 per cent on the basis of the 1966 population. This was the smallest percentage decline in any inter-censal period since the beginning of the present century.
The Government are ensuring the continued operation of the special measures for western development contained in the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development, which are based on more intensive farming in economic units and the development of non-farm sources of employment in industry, tourism, forestry and fishing.
The special regional development fund is being administered in a flexible manner in providing assistance for worthwhile economic projects which cannot be assisted otherwise: commitments to-date exceed £1.3 million.
With the aid of the fund, a significant amount of employment and income has been generated in County Mayo and the other counties concerned by way of small farmer and handcraft co-operatives, Castlebar airport, miscellaneous projects and fishing harbours. The fund is also assisting a special promotional campaign to attract suitable industrial projects to the smaller towns and the provision of pre-fabricated buildings for small local industries in their early stages. In the six months ended June last, the additional industrial proposals in County Mayo which have proceeded beyond the approval-for-grant stage involve a potential employment at full production of 500 persons.
Of the 40 large and medium industrial projects, with an employment potential of 6,600 approved for grants by the Industrial Development Authority in the six months ended June last, 20 projects with an employment potential of nearly 3,200 will be located in the western areas.
Particular attention continues to be given to the position of smaller farmers: among the measures of special help in improving their economic circumstances are the small farm incentive bonus scheme, the beef cattle incentive scheme, relief of rates on land and differentiation—in favour of smaller farmers—in the grants payable under the land project and the farm buildings scheme. Of the total of 182 new hotels opened in the country in the past six years, 119, or 65 per cent of the total, were located in the western counties. In the current Volume of Estimates for the Public Services, there is an increase of approximately 30 per cent in the total provisions for improvement schemes in the Gaeltacht and capital expenditure by Gaeltarra Éireann. The statement on the economic situation to be made by the Minister for Finance later today will indicate measures to assist the western areas.
Will the Taoiseach agree that down through the years I have put questions to him about the alarming situation in the west and that the measures which he has mentioned now have been mentioned by him time and time again in this House in reply to my questions? Will the Taoiseach agree that the measures taken and the matters to which he has referred are wholly inadequate if we are going to save the west from disaster? Towns are crumbling, shops are closing and villages are dying.
I agree the Deputy has, over the years, put down a series of questions on this matter but over the years the situation has been improving, as the figures I have just read out clearly show. I told the Deputy on a number of occasions that the measures we had taken and were taking were not expected to cure the situation overnight or over a short period, but that in the long term they would. The figures I have quoted indicate that improvement in the situation. Certainly there is a continuing decline in population but it is becoming less and less and I hope it will be completely arrested in the near future.
The measures the Taoiseach has referred to are wholly inadequate. Would the Taoiseach agree that the main reason for emigration is because of the withdrawal of dole in rural areas and also because of a lack of employment in rural areas? Has the Taoiseach no special measures to deal with this situation in order to stop this drain of our people which has been going on for years and years as the figures indicate?
Am I to assume from the Taoiseach's reply that he is com-placement about the percentage decline in population in the west reducing? Surely he is well aware that this is bound to happen because of the thousands who have left the west during the time this group have been in charge of the country? Will the Taoiseach compare the decline in the population in the west with the increase in population in what is termed north-eastern Ireland? Would he not also agree that the steps taken by the Government are completely insufficient and inadequate because if they were in any way adequate surely the people would not leave? They are leaving because they are forced through economic circumstances to do so; they cannot eke out a livelihood in the west. Surely the Taoiseach should grasp that fact and take action. He should formulate a policy to ensure a livelihood for the people there and not have them going to Birmingham, London and other places.
Do the various ad hoc measures the Taoiseach has read out constitute the Government's regional policy?
No.
According to the census figures circulated recently 6,150 people have left Mayo since 1966. The Taoiseach gives a figure of 12,000 for the whole of Connaught. Would the Taoiseach say if this decline has been going on in Mayo for the past 20 years? Is it greater now than it was 20 years ago?
No, the decline in County Mayo is decreasing. It was almost 2,000 higher in the previous census and 2,000 higher again in the census prior to that.
They are all gone.
No. Before you cure a decline you must arrest it.
(Interruptions.)
The decline has been significantly arrested.
The Taoiseach is aware that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of the country but Fianna Fáil have driven the people out.