Virginia bypass among key regional projects

ASSEMBLY Members push balanced regional development

The Virginia bypass was among a number of key infrastructural projects highlighted for this region at a recent meeting with the Taoiseach.

Fianna Fáil councillor Áine Smith sits on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), which recently met Leo Varadkar to set out a priority list of major projects urgently needed to address some of the region’s key development challenges.

In a wide-ranging presentation, the NWRA outlined how the region’s infrastructure deficits are seriously undermining the development of the local economy. Members demanded greater investment in the motorway, higher education and rail networks for Ireland’s most rural oriented region.

At the meeting held in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan, the Taoiseach heard that disposable income per head of population in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland is just 84% of the State average - a smaller proportion compared to previous years - and also that population has been declining since 2011.

Key infrastructure projects identified include the ATU Galway STEM Building, the ATU Letterkenny Library, IT and Education Building, the N2, and N17, N3 Virginia bypass, Donegal Ten-T projects, Galway Ring Road, Galway Port, the Galway-Sligo rail line, and double tracking of the rail line between Galway and Athlone rail line.

In addition, the provision of wastewater infrastructure for small towns/villages was raised.

Speaking after the meeting with the NWRA, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Balanced regional development is good for the whole country and this region is more competitive in creating jobs, access to broadband and access to third level education.”

He added: “It is a challenge for any country to spread development away from the capital and other big cities, but it is something we are committed to, which is why I set up the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2017 with a fund of €1 billion to invest in rural areas. The positive benefits are there for everyone to see in towns and villages all over Ireland.”

Speaking after the meeting, NWRA director Denis Kelly said that “urgent action” is needed to address the Northern and Western Region’s many development challenges.

“In recent years, residents of our region have seen their level of disposable income fall to around 84% of the national average, which is much lower compared to the mid to late 2000s when the gap ranged from 92% to 94%. The region is ranked the 114th most competitive regional economy in the 234 regions in the EU’s Regional Competitiveness Index and ranks 218th in terms of infrastructure.”

Mr Kelly said the implementation of the measures highlighted to An Taoiseach would provide a “platform for sustainable growth".