“Rural Ireland Isn’t Dying, It’s Being Killed” – Cllr Jim Codd
Wexford Cllr Jim Codd has raised concerns about the worsening housing crisis and it’s impacts for rural Ireland Speaking today, Jim Codd said “The housing crisis is hollowing out rural Ireland. The average rent in Wexford now exceeds €1,000 per month. This is paralleled by the rapidly increasing cost of rent, which has already gone up by 15% since last year alone in Wexford. This is devastating rural Ireland”
Cllr Codd continued “This is a direct result of policy. The housing crisis, lack of services and poor urban planning are creating the conditions to drain the countryside of its' population. While Ireland's population grew by 31% between 1996 and 2016, there has been a doughnut effect around Dublin. The population of Meath and Kildare grew by 78% and 65% respectively, while rural areas saw growth as low as 17%. As a result, there’s been a complete breakdown of the viability of local shops, butchers, even post offices. This feeds a cycle of rural collapse”
“Rural Ireland is central to our identity as a nation. It’s heart breaking to hear from families whose sons and daughters want to stay in rural areas but are being forced out because of the cost of rent or the lack of jobs and services. The government needs to stop feeding this collapse and take serious steps to re-vitalise the rural Ireland” concluded Cllr. Codd
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