Demand for white paper to address problems facing rural areas
Mr Murphy said the Government needs to produce a white paper addressing all of the issues facing rural communities, and follow this process with corrective measures.
Inaction has led to youth unemployment of up to 70% in rural towns in Wexford, he claimed.
The issues facing rural areas will be addressed at IRL’s annual conference in Moate Business Park, Co Westmeath, on Friday, May 9.
“The poor access to education, soaring rural unemployment and the closure of Garda stations and other services are all interlinked issues,” said Mr Murphy.
“We are calling for a white paper for a departmental group to look at all these issues together, but then we’ll need quick action.
“We need a co-ordinated effort from different government departments. You can’t just tackle each issue as a single entity. Rural communities need an overview approach to enterprise development, education and skills training to create a future for young people in rural communities.”
As per recent CSO figures, unemployment among 18 to 25-year-olds is rampant in rural Wexford towns — 70.4% in Taghmon, 67% in Bunclody, and 62.4% in Enniscorthy. This compares to a 30% national average for the same age category.
“Emigration is also highest in these rural towns,” said Mr Murphy.
“We need apprenticeships and to reinvent our approach to training and education. We need to look at the access to and the cost of education for rural people, which is driven up by transport and accommodation.
“Online courses help, of course, but online can be a lonely environment in which to study. Perhaps we could mix online study with tutorials delivered face-to -face in rural schools at night, when they’re not in use. These are the kinds of issues we need to be looking at.”
The IRL conference will also be addressed by broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, a frequent speaker on rural isolation; Minister of State for Training and Skills Ciarán Cannon; & Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, president of Athlone IT; Alice McDonnell of C&M Training; Dr Maura Farrell of NUIG; and a representative of the Swedish Rural Parliament.
The conference runs from 9.30am to 1.30pm and will be followed by IRL’s AGM and presentations to rural awards winners.
