Population surge requires plan of action
The massive jump in our population here in Co Cavan is a welcome development, a positive indicator of our county, auguring well for the future of our towns and indeed of the rural parishes many of which were threatened with extinction due to emigration in the not too distant past.
Emigration is a fact of life again in Ireland but it doesn't appear to have the negative societal impact that it had in the 1950s and latterly in the 1980s. It indicates that Ireland is not in decline and that the vast majority of people living here believe that we have a future - notwithstanding the present trying economic difficulties.
Looking at the latest increase in population of County Cavan it is a remarkable turnaround in terms of growth. The increase of 13.9% is the second highest in the State. More importantly it has confirmed an upward trend reflected in recent census. For instance in the 2006 census the county had a very similar increase in population from the 2002 census (up 14%). If that increase is further replicated over the next five years it will put Cavan County Council to the pin of their collar to provide services to meet this increased demand.
Cavan is a geographically large county and it could be said that it has the capacity to absorb all of these new people. However, a modern society requires high standards of water provision, sewage disposal, waste management never mind roads, houses and library services. It must be funded to meet those additional requirements placed upon it. Central government is the main provider of funding to local government, understandably so, as it is the chief collector of taxes. With central government being strapped for financial resources it is likely that pressure will be applied to local authorities to raise a share of their own funding. If there are to be water charges and a property tax it is important that this money should levied by or go directly to the local authority. Everyone would find such additional taxation an added burden on top of their own reduced income but it is important that the standard of services provided by the local authority should be maintained at the highest level. Water quality, sewage and waste disposal are of key importance and no effort must be spared to ensure that services in these respective areas are developed to meet the increased demand.
Health services and schools will also feel the impact of catering for a larger body of people. It is hard to believe that Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Bailieboro and Kingscourt each now have populations in excess of 3,000 people. It is not that long ago since the population of the county town would have been in that ball park figure. Cavan town itself has expanded dramatically into the countryside with once rural schools now firmly ensconced in the suburbs. Gearing up for the definite challenges that lie ahead is the task of councillors, local Oireachtas representatives and public officials. A newly defined plan must be prepared to take account of a welcome but challenging situation - not least of which is how to provide jobs for the host of young people growing up in all of these urban centres within our county boundaries. How we tackle this challenge has implications for the well being of the young who in the event of unemployment can drift into crime and anti social behaviour. Time is of the essence.
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