Pringle welcomes Killybegs regeneration works under Ireland 2040 and says more is needed
- Updated: 15th June 2023
ndependent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said regeneration works for Killybegs through the Government’s Ireland 2040 initiative are welcome, though he said the plan is still far from implementation.
The deputy also said further investment and stronger supports for remote workers are needed in Killybegs and across Donegal.
Addressing the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Pringle said: “This is an area that I am particularly interested in, coming from a rural constituency myself and knowing my constituency’s potential. Nobody can dispute that the natural beauty of the west coast, and particularly of Donegal, is unmatched. The area has so much to offer and so much untapped potential and I’m glad that the Government has begun to recognise this.”
The deputy was speaking on the Impact of Government’s 5-year Policy for Rural Ireland: Our Rural Future, which he called, “an impressive read.”
Deputy Pringle said: “It covers many areas and offers great ideas on how to revitalise our rural communities. Anyone reading this document would think that the Government is doing fantastic work. Those actually living in rural communities, however, feel that there’s more that needs to be done. Because sadly this is not reflected on the ground.
“It is telling that we are two years from the publication of this five-year policy and we are still nowhere near any of these policies being implemented. I honestly wonder whether there was even an intention to implement them in the first place, given that the ‘key deliverables’ are extremely vast and far-reaching for even the most ambitious of governments.
“It seems then that this is yet another government policy document full of empty promises. I would honestly rather a weaker policy document if it reflected the Government’s actual priorities. At least it would give us something to work on.”
Deputy Pringle said: “What rural communities need most isn’t words, but full and proper investment, and I’d like to take this opportunity to call on the Government to invest further in the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
“I welcome that this fund is contributing to Killybegs 2040, a significant regeneration project in my own hometown, which forms a part of Project Ireland 2040 as well.
“This project will make a significant difference to the town of Killybegs and those living there who have experienced a really difficult downturn in the last two decades. The project will provide a civic space in Killybegs, as well as a digital hub for the many of those who have chosen to move to the town and surrounding rural areas to work remotely.
“This will undoubtedly help unlock Killybegs’ full potential, but this alone is not enough. Further investment is needed in the town and also in the county as well. This is vitally important.
“But there is also a difficulty that many remote workers have reported to me, that in recent months their employers are pulling employees back on site. This puts remote workers in a very precarious situation and will deter employees from making the move to rural communities,” he said.
