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Population of midlands set to decline
Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his concern at the contents of the recently published "Regional Population Projections" by the Central Statistics Office and he calls for policy initiatives to reverse the projection population loss in the midlands.
"I am amazed and concerned for the future by the recently published population projections for the midlands," says Deputy McGrath.
"While the population of the country will rise by almost 1 million over the next number of years - the midlands is the only area that will suffer a population decline. Unless we have major policy initiatives from Westmeath County Council, the I.D.A., County Enterprise Boards, V.E.C.'s and the Department of Education, The Midland Health Board then the availability of adequate health services, schools, public services will be in jeopardy.
"While the population of the midlands has gone up from 180,000 in 1961 to 205,000 in 1996, the projected population for 2031 shows a decline of 20,000 or 10% to 185,000
"This projected decline is based on an expected high rate of internal migration of 35,900 - mainly to the Greater Dublin Area, i.e. people leaving the midlands to live elsewhere.
"This population decline will also change the age profile of our area. The average age in the midlands in 1996 was 34 and this is set to increase to 45 over the projected period.
"The young population - aged 0 to 14 years - will decline by 44% compared to 1996 over the projected period and the number of births in the area is set to dramatically fall from the present rate of about 3,000 per annum to about 1,500 annually. This will of course have serious knock on effects on teacher numbers in schools and indeed on the viability of many of our schools.
"The age dependency ratio is also set to change dramatically in the midlands with the projected total dependency ratio to reach almost 70%. This means that when you add together the young - under 14 - with the elderly - over 65 - they are dependent on the working group aged 15 - 65. This ratio at 70% is projected to be the highest in the country and has serious consequences for the provision of health care etc.
"Now is the time to put in place initiatives to address these projected problems," says Deputy McGrath.
"With the County Development Plan almost completed by Westmeath County Council we have an ideal opportunity and indeed a responsibility to ensure that this plan will entice people, jobs and services to our area.
"In conjunction with the I.D.A. and other developmental organisations we have an obligation to 'bring work to the people' rather than 'the people to work'. Westmeath must be marketed as an attractive location for new industry and services and hence encourage people to relocate to Westmeath.
"We have the infrastructure, the education services, the health, leisure and sporting facilities and a quality of life that is commendable and sought after. We must encourage people to come and live in Westmeath and our planning controls should take account of this report from the C.S.O.
"All voluntary and state agencies in the midlands should be concerned about these population projections and endeavour to put in place policies and initiatives to reverse these projections," says Deputy McGrath.
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