Efforts fail to convince people about going west

EFFORTS to make it more attractive to live and work in the west of Ireland are not convincing people in the east to move there, research has revealed.

While more than a third of those living in the east would like to live in the west, four out of 10 people living in both regions believe the economic gap between the areas has widened in the past five years.

The Red C poll commissioned by the Western Development Commission included 400 people in western counties and 400 people in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow.

It found that 36% of those living in the east would like to live in the west, and the figure was even higher for those under the age of 35 — 41%.

One of the main attractions of living in the west was a superior quality of life relative to Dublin, according to 54% of those in the east and 75% in the west.

The survey also revealed that work practices are becoming more flexible, with 41% in the west and 43% in the east saying it was possible.

About two-thirds of those in the east were discouraged from moving, however, because of the perception the quality of transport and broadband provision is poorer.

Many also believe that the type of work they would want to do was not available in the west.

Commission chief executive Gillian Buckley said the Government could tackle the transport issue immediately by ensuring National Development Plan commitments to the road routes to and through the west are delivered.

Also, the continuing upgrading of the quality and frequency of train services should mean that a large proportion of the population in the west are a maximum of three hours away from Dublin.

Ms Buckley said the development of commuter rail routes within the region was also vital as those in the east said access to public transport was an important factor in deciding where to live.

Commission policy manager Dr Patricia O’Hara said international routes at Ireland West Airport Knock continued to grow rapidly and should encourage industry wanting to locate in the more northern part of the region.

And while up to 70% felt job opportunities were poorer in the west relative to Dublin, the commission found this was not the case.