Demographic changes and reduction in population will provide a major challenge for Government and local authorities in the future. Recent census figures in Co Mayo have indicated a substantial reduction in population figures in parts of our county, considering the fact that Mayo County Council has built substantial housing schemes in most towns and villages and considering the increase in private housing development undertaken during the Celtic Tiger period in the county.
The census figures have shown a substantial decline in parts of rural Mayo. In the north Mayo and Achill areas this decline of population is evident. This reduction of population has an impact on the pupil numbers attending primary and secondary schools within the county.
It has an impact on services and it creates an ageing population where there is greater dependency on State and local services. This decline in population on the western seaboard also impacts on the closure of post offices, court services, Garda stations, and small retail businesses. The recent change in the local electoral areas outlined the seriousness of the reduction of population. Rural development programmes and Leader programmes have now a major challenge facing them, in endeavouring to reverse this decline in population and sustaining rural communities.
In these recessionary times, there will be a greater need for local communities to support their own small businesses in their towns and villages and shop local, therefore sustaining jobs and keeping services active within their own communities. Small indigenous enterprises, craft development, production of artisan food stuffs, and organic farming should be encouraged and fostered in order to sustain employment.
Emphasis should be placed on living in Mayo, where there is a unique quality of life, away from the stresses of urban living, giving people a sense of belonging and community, providing a good environment for children, and caring for the elderly within the community.
If we are to encourage young families with children to live in rural areas, it is imperative that government agencies such as county enterprise boards, IDA, and Údarás na Gaeltachta create job opportunities so that young people will find employment locally and settle down and live in their communities.
A proactive approach by government agencies working in collaboration with local communities is necessary in order to identify resources that can be developed to create jobs and sustain communities in these recessionary times.
The decline of island population off the Mayo coastline is reaching a crisis situation. Sustained investment in infrastructural development such as piers, harbours, roads, electricity and water has taken place on the islands due to Minister Eamon Ó Cuív TD. However these infrastructural developments have not curtailed the decline in population of the island communities. County enterprise boards must address the lack of employment opportunities for the young educated island population. It is imperative that a strategic plan is put in place for the island communities with tax incentives and other grant supports to encourage entrepreneurship and job creation within the island community.
The next five years throws out a major challenge to our elected representatives and our State agencies in working with our local communities, to create the circumstances in which we can reverse the decline within parts of our county and island communities.
