The Government is being called on to accept the need for positive discrimiation so that rural towns and villages in Clare and across the country can survive.
A recent report by the Chartered Surveyors of Ireland says a “perfect storm” of issues such as online sales, out of town shopping centres and high vacancy rates has put main streets at risk.
But while a number of local representatives have dismissed this, saying many towns are bouncing back, they believe the ongoing problem of rural depopulation is having a significant impact.
Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Richard Nagle says a number of issues need to be resolved to entice people to settle in rural areas, while Kilrush Independent Councillor Ian Lynch says a number of incentives could make a huge impact:
