Bertie Ahern
Ceist:16 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the areas in which he has co-ordinated support for the implementation of the action plan of the Western Development Partnership Board. [15450/95]
Written Answers. - Population Trends.
Michael P. Kitt
Ceist:17 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, the Government has to produce a policy on population trends in Ireland. [15568/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together because I understand that Deputy Kitt's question refers to the west of Ireland.
Population levels and trends are important elements of the overall economic and social fabric of any country. Rising population levels require certain policy responses while declining levels require different responses. The decline of population in the West of Ireland has been identified as a key policy issue. As Minister of State for Western Development and Rural Renewal I have been given the brief to address these issues.
It is generally recognised that the forces that are responsible for declining population levels are many and the relationship between those forces is complex. As population levels fall, essential services are eroded or withdrawn altogether. This discourages young people in particular from staying in an area and this can result in a move to larger centres of population. Along with them moves the resources and potential for economic and social development and the basis for providing a broad range of services.
It is precisely because of the seriousness of this situation in the West of Ireland that one of the key recommendations of the Government Task Force on the Crusade for Survival was the establishment of the Western Development Partnership Board with the specific objective of achieving population stability by the end of the decade at 1991 Census levels on a county basis.
The board is, at present, preparing an action plan for the Region which will develop proposals to achieve this objective. This action plan may also serve as a model for addressing population trends in other areas. The board's action plan is nearing completion and will be presented to Government shortly.
As Minister of State for Western Development and Rural Renewal, I am responsible for overseeing the activities of the Western Development Partnership Board.
The board's overall objective is to develop a strategic focus for economic and social development in the Region. The composition of the board, including as it does all the key State agencies operating in the Region as well as local development organisations, reflects the co-ordinated approach which underpins the preparation of the action plan and its future implementation.
I have consistently given support and encouragement to the work of the Western Development Partnership Board in the preparation of the action plan. My officials and I have been in regular contact with the chairman and chief executive of the board to discuss progress.
As part of this ongoing support for the work of the board in the context of the preparation of the action plan, I have had meetings with organisations at national, regional and local level. I am confident that these discussions have resulted in a wide range of contributions and inputs to the planning process. As Minister of State I keep the Taoiseach directly informed of developments concerning the work of the board.