Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have overlooked rural regions, according to Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Michael Ring TD.
“Thriving communities in rural areas need cultivation and support, especially in the face of a difficult economic climate and soaring unemployment, but it has been greatly lacking from the Government,” said Deputy Ring this week.
“This Government’s response to the crisis facing rural regions is completely inadequate. The only ray of hope in terms of job creation has been the Rural Development Programme, which is funded mainly from the EU, but this has been dogged by delays.
“Programmes such as Leader, which could bring about growth in the regions, are not being supported by adequate infrastructure and services. Decentralisation was badly planned and poorly delivered, with few areas benefiting and a more disjointed and poorly organised public service than ever. The World Economic Forum has listed inadequate infrastructure as the most problematic factor for doing business in Ireland.
“Yet Fianna Fáil’s response is to delay programmes such as Transport 21. Many regional road projects are also likely to be deferred. Even the Gateway Innovation Fund, which was designed to drive economic growth in nine gateway towns and cities, has been postponed. Broadband roll-out has been repeatedly delayed, with universal availability in Ireland not now expected until 2010.”
According to Dep Ring rural communities are also bearing the brunt of cuts in local services. For example, 500 post offices have closed in the past eight years and courthouses are being closed or allowed to fall into a state of disrepair and neglect.
“Rural recreational and social services must be developed so people of all ages and in particular young people have a good quality of life. Unfortunately, though, many young people are turning to drugs and alcohol, which is made worse by the lack of social services and amenities. The National Drugs Strategy has been a massive failure, with noone in control of it, and the HSE axing rehab clinics instead of opening them. The Department of Education has taken a back seat on prevention and there are not enough Garda resources to tackle drug-related crime,” concluded Dep Ring.
