Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2018
64. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to commission data research and a deprivation analysis of the midlands counties in order to ascertain the validity of designating special status to a defined region and establishing a development commission. [8721/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pobal HP deprivation index provides a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area using data compiled from various Census. The Pobal index is compiled at small area, county and regional level. As such it includes data for the Midlands region. Further information on this index, and the index data itself, is available at https://www.pobal.ie/Pages/New-Measures.aspx.
With regard to the economic development of the midlands counties, the National Planning Framework provides for Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies to be developed by each of the three regional assemblies. These strategies will set out the strategic development framework for each region including their towns, villages and rural catchments. They will be the key strategies in term of setting out the future vision for economic and spatial development of the regions.
