Ryan calls for council to establish rural development department

Kilcommon councillor Mattie Ryan (FF) has asked Tipperary Co Council to establish a rural development department.

In a notice of motion, Cllr Ryan said the department should have a director of services to foresee the future needs of the rural parishes in Tipperary and provide some sort of operational support that would work with the different government departments, for example, finance.

“I believe what is needed is a multi-government department response to the action plan that would be drawn up ­- a plan that would hope to halt the demise of rural Ireland,” Cllr Ryan said.

“The planning laws should be relaxed where possible so that young people could build their homes in their own locality. This measure, if nothing else, would relieve the pressure for houses in cities and towns.

“The lack of a proper broadband in rural Tipperary is a major stumbling block. Many people tell me they would be able to work from home if the broadband system was up to the required standard.

“The lack of school transport in some areas is another factor in the decision making of many couples as they plan where to set up home and start a family. One example is when Curreeny school closed in 1965, the parents were assured that the children would be transported by bus to Templederry. This service is no longer available.

“The continued closure of post offices following the closure of schools and creameries is also having an enormous effect on the life of rural villages, many of which were vibrant communities a few years ago.”

Cllr Ryan was also critical of the lack of a proper sewage system in 39 rural villages. “Kilcommon village is a case in point, a factor in the decline of the population there,” he said. “Prior to my becoming a member of the county council there was not a local authority house built in Kilcommon for 80 years.

“We must acknowledge too the foresight of those who devised the Community Housing Scheme, for example, Kilcommon, where the elderly and some young families can remain in their local village. To date that organisation has built 19 dwellings.

“I want to acknowledge too the support given by those in the council housing section to this group up to this day. We must acknowledge also that Brian Beck and his team in the planning section are now allowing houses to be built on half-acre sites in rural villages.

“The closure of Garda stations in rural Ireland too left many, especially the older people, vulnerable in their own homes. The local guard knew most of the people and was able to detect where trouble was about to happen and often prevent it.

“An improved home care package too would mean many elderly people could continue to live in their own environment happy in the knowledge that their carers would be calling on a daily basis,” Cllr Ryan said.

“It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the good work done by those in the Community Watch Scheme, which offers hope and confidence to the most vulnerable in our society. Farmers should be enabled to generate a decent living for themselves and their families while at the same time facilitating the flora and the fauna of their environment, for example the many acres are under-used for this purpose at present.

“I must also point out that when Joe MacGrath became CE of Tipperary Co Council he said he would set up a section on tourism to promote Tipperary as a major tourist attraction. The fruits of that appointment saw Tipperary win the All Ireland trophy for tourist promotion. Indeed, receiving that award, was a proud moment for me, Cllr Phyll Bugler and Áine McCarthy.”

Cllr Ryan said a scheme should be devised where farmers in a locality would organise a kind of neighbourhood watch where each in turn would check on the others to ensure their safety. The aim of such a scheme would be to prevent death in the event of farming accidents as most farmers work on their own.

“Our neighbours in Clare have already launched a rural development strategy and Government have appointed Michael Ring in the new ministry of  rural development,  a  well-timed  appointment in my view,” Cllr Ryan stated.