It’s time to take a stand against rural decline

RURAL dwellers in many parts of the State are getting a raw deal.

As investment in infrastructure and business benefits larger urban areas, rural parts experience on a daily basis the effects of both economic and population decline.

While many people living in the countryside may be happy with their lot — after all, we choose, in many cases, to stay where we are — investment policy falls far short of constituting equality. Welcome to the great divide — the result of a deliberate policy to centralise our population into compact, easily accessible urban centres where services can be provided en masse and at less cost to an anonymous populace.

Meanwhile the social fabric of rural communities is being eroded and their decline accelerates. The disappearance of post offices, garda stations and the rural pub all have had an effect on smaller communities. A debate must take place regarding provision of public services to rural communities including healthcare, education, childcare, transport, communications (especially broadband services) and policing.

Rural communities will only survive by being proactive. The time has come for our voice to be heard.

Michael Jones

Mienvee

Hollyford

Co Tipperary