Voluntary group facing funds crisis
“Yet the focus of policies and strategies appears to be on the development of cities and towns, with little value placed on rural living as a viable option.”
And yet as a neighbour wisely pointed out to me many years ago: “You can’t eat the view.”
So the WHO’s reference to improved mental and physical health as one of the benefits of rural living is all very well.
But in the light of the continuing decimation of rural services, it might need to be re-thought sometime soon.
Schools, garda stations, post offices and the vital Rural Transport System are all under threat, leaving many people wondering — and worrying — about just how they are going to manage in the months and years ahead.
And that’s without the added concerns regarding the Household Tax, water bills and the looming spectre of the septic tank inspection.
Just lately, all this doom and gloom seems to have become a bewildering miasma of taxes and cutbacks that has many rural dwellers holding their breaths as they wonder what might be heading their way next.
Yet even in the face of such adversity, many rural dwellers continue to be resourceful, compassionate and deeply committed to preserving their communities.
The unique quality of rural life is difficult to quantify in terms of economic value.
But what is certain is that over generations, a way of life has evolved in Ireland’s rural areas that has shaped a landscape and preserved the vital song, music, dance and sport of a venerable culture.
Social Justice Ireland stated in its recent economic review that in 2011, the risk of poverty in rural Ireland was 4.6 percentage points higher than in urban Ireland with at risk rates of 18.8% and 14.2% respectively.
Social Justice determined that direct CAP payments comprised 73% of farm income in 2011 and that 65% of farms in Ireland have an income of less than €20,000 per annum.
“The impact of sustained high levels of unemployment and subsequent high levels of emigration among young people in rural communities cannot be overestimated,” says Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland.
“By failing to support young people who wish to remain in their communities, the Government is potentially failing to address a key aspect of sustainability.”
It is becoming increasingly urgent that opportunities are created so that the rural economy can develop much needed alternative enterprises. But to accomplish this a long-awaited quality broadband service and an integrated rural transport system are musts.
Nealie O’Leary from Coomhola near Bantry is a sheep farmer and an active member of his community, involved in many leadership roles with sheep farmers, the GAA, the IFA as well as the Bantry Show, amongst others.
Nealie is also the chairman of the pioneering West Cork Rural Transport Scheme, and he told me about the organisation’s concerns.
*What do you think of public transport Minister Alan Kelly’s initiative to introduce a rural hackney licence along with a separate voluntary scheme for car owners?
>>“The minister has said that a transport deficiency exists and yet our very successful Rural Transport Scheme, operated and managed locally for many years, is under threat of being centralised. If what the minister is proposing would be an addition to the existing service, we’d welcome it.
“But we can’t see the value of dismantling a service that operates so efficiently.”
*The draft report that found its way into the public domain has recommended the abolition of the 35 community-based companies, which operate the rural transport schemes, and having them run by the county councils instead, didn’t it?
>>“Yes and I can’t see how that would work. Would we call them to ask for service in, say, the Borlin Valley or other places they would not be familiar with? We have 16 carefully vetted drivers, many of who have been with us for years and who know the area and their regulars. And they don’t just drive them they, look after them too, help them with their shopping and check up on them. But the biggest flaw in the proposal is that West Cork Rural Transport are eligible for a number of grants that the county councils wouldn’t qualify for. So instead of saving money, it’s going to cost. It just doesn’t make sense.”
*You are also supported by numerous volunteers, aren’t you?
>>“The West Cork Rural Transport Scheme is one of the few in the country that owns its own buses. And we run on a system of paid workers and an army of volunteers, people like the Active Retirement Group and the local charity shops who all support us with their fund-raising activities.
“We have a voluntary board of 16 members, people who come from Clonakilty, Bandon, Kinsale. Macroom and Beara and who are not paid any expenses to do that either. We all know that there’s no way anyone could run 16 buses on the allocated amount of €260,000.”
*What’s your opinion of the other issues that are currently affecting rural communities, Nealie?
>>“They are very serious. I think a part of the problem is a lack of understanding of the true nature — and value — of rural communities by those who are making these decisions. The Leader scheme, for instance, has had a huge impact on our communities, providing important services and amenities. There’s no doubt but that the rural infrastructure is being seriously undermined.”
