Rural Ireland suffering more than fair share of austerity
Today we have many villages without a shop, many post offices closed and many more under threat, many Garda stations gone, patrol cars scarce, ambulance services curtailed, and the availability of doctors at night-time restricted. Many of our small towns have lost their banks. All this does not augur well for the future, nor does it encourage young people to live in rural areas. Those who do find it difficult to get planning permission to build a home.
Septic tank registrations are another example of pressure on rural dwellers, as is the property tax, some of which, we are told, will be used to improve services from local authorities. It is unlikely many improved services will come to rural areas that have no public lighting, no footpaths, no sewerage services.
