'Ever widening' economic gap leaves North-West lagging far behind Dublin and Cork

Have Dublin and Cork left Ireland's regions behind? 

According to the 2022 European Commission country report for Ireland, regional imbalance is likely to grow, rather than reverse, largely due to the ability of urban centres like Cork and Dublin to attract multinationals. Pic: Larry Cummins.

“The border region's GDP per capita has dropped to 52% of the EU 27 average — the lowest since records began. Think about that. Compared to all other EU regions, the border region stands at 52% of the EU average. Its GDP has fallen off a cliff. Generally, I am not given to hyperbole but this is disastrous.”

The warning from independent TD Marian Harkin in a Dáil debate at the end of April was stark. The border region, and the North West at large, is falling behind in a way that might not be reversible.