Community survey - Government policy failing rural areas

THAT Ireland, despite its newfound wealth, is going through a social upheaval has been evident for some time. But the sheer extent of the transformation comes as something of a shock.

Confirming that change is often for the worse, a university survey of rural households found village life is being killed. With a quarter of rural dwellers now driving over 40 miles a day to work, their homes are little more than dormitories.

In contrast with relatively recent times, when people lived in each other’s shadow, 40% of villagers today don’t know their neighbours, have no community involvement and no links with voluntary or sporting organisations.