Group demands help for rural industry

AN enterprise policy to provide targeted supports for small to medium-sized industry in rural areas is one of 17 key demands listed by Irish Rural Link (IRL) in the run-up to the general election.

IRL, which campaigns for sustainable rural communities, said the decline of pubs, shops and post offices highlights the need for fresh thinking on rural issues. It said the closure of rural pubs highlighted in the Revenue Commission’s 2006 figures, combined with the demise of shops and post offices is an indication that rural towns and villages are under threat.

Representing over 300 community groups with a combined membership of 25,000, IRL issued the warning as it launched its Election 07 Rural Manifesto.

Its chief executive Seamus Boland said the closure of over 400 pubs last year in rural areas, combined with ongoing closures of shops and post offices, should be taken as indicators that there is great urgency to achieve balanced regional development and sustainable rural development.

“The pub closures in 2006 were predominately in the Border, Midland and Western Region and therefore are a reconfirmation of well- known demographic trends.

“People, and particularly younger people, are moving away from peripheral rural areas because of difficulties in accessing employment and educational opportunities,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the knock -on effect of this for the remaining, and usually older population, is the decline of existing public and private services,” said Mr Boland, adding that balanced regional development and amenities for rural areas are key issues for the 40% of people living in rural Ireland.