W2C-020 Tipperary Star-3.txt
Survey points way to rural survival
THERE could not have been a better location in which to launch a Muintir na Tire report on rural Tipperary communities than the breathtakingly beautiful but stark landscape of the Glen of Aherlow.
By Mary Hassett
Guests at last Monday's launch looked out from the plush surrounds of the Aherlow House Hotel to the magnificent hills and reflected on the people who are struggling to make a life for themselves in similarly rugged and isolated surroundings throughout North and South Tipperary.

Some people may have imagined that Muintir na Tire was dead in all but name but the organisation founded in 1937 is determined to prove that it is as relevant today as on the date of its foundation. The organisation founded by Tipperary priest Canon John Hayes has always sought to respond to the needs of communities and parishes and to be forthright and innovative in its approach.

FOUR PARISHES
Perceiving the growing need to develop new strategies for creating employment which would both support and complement local development objectives Muintir na Tire commissioned a preliminary study of four communities/parishes throughout North and South Tipperary. The parishes involved were Templederry and Moyne-Templetuohy an North Tipperary and Fethard and Cappawhite in South Tipperary. The study was carried out on behalf of Muintir na Tire by Murphy, Ryan ampersand Associates Ltd., Management and Human Resources Consultants in Limerick. The study was funded in part by Tipperary Leader Group Ltd.
The focus of the study was to examine the potential of each community to create an enterprise environment which would contribute to employment opportunities at local level.

The outcome of the study quite clearly indicated that while potential exists to a degree within each community ongoing and focussed community development will be required in order to achieve the enterprise ambition. It is proposed that the optimum enterprise environment will include a working partnership arrangement between the community, local authority and all statutory / voluntary agencies relevant to each community.

Careful community planning will be required in order to ensure that wherever possible all sectors of the community will be represented or given the opportunity to participate in all decision making and development.
DECLINING POPULATION
The study showed that Cappawhite, Templederry and Moyne-Templetuohy all have a declining population. The most alarming decline has taken place in Templederry which now has a population of 1116 which is 25% of what it was in 1901. The population has decreased by 6% between 1986 and 1991.

The population in Moyne-Templetuohy has declined by 7% between 1986 and 1991 while the decrease has been more than 10% in Cappawhite over a similar period. In contrast the population in Fethard increased by 11% between 1981 and 1986 with a further slight increase between 1986 and 1994.

The study shows that 50% of the population in all four parishes is dependant i.e. is under eighteen or over sixty-five. Unemployment appears to be low as people in all four parishes have left the area rather than remain unemployed. A significant percentage of the workforce are employed outside the parishes on either a long or short term basis.

The report concluded that community activity and involvement exists within each of the four parishes. However this is at different levels of development. Potential exists for further development including the introduction of enterprise for the purpose of offering job opportunities to young people as an alternative to leaving the parish to achieve employment. The development of the tourism industry is possible in each of the four parishes. This will require care, planning, coordination, direction and participation.

COMMUNITY PLAN

It is proposed that a Community Plan be developed within each area which would address the issue of integration and enterprise. It is felt that a representative umbrella organisation should be introduced or strengthened in each area.

Speaking at the launch the President of Muintir na Tire, Jim Quigley called on the incoming Government to give Muintir na Tire the necessary financial resources to employ Development officers on a national basis. 'Rural society must be preserved, stabilised and developed so as to avoid a social and economic imbalance between rural and urban'," stated the Toomevara born President who has been living in Dublin for more than 30 years. 'The study we are launching today is, in our opinion, a way of preserving one area of rural society within EU and national policies'," he stated.

Ms. Wendy Ryan, Murphy, Ryan Associates Ltd., highlighted the energy, dedication and enthusiasm of local people in all four communities. She formally presented a copy of the report to Jim Quigley.

Former MEP and champion of rural Ireland over a lifetime Mr T. J. Maher officially launched the report. He highlighted the fact that Canon Hayes had promoted a philosophy of self help which will have to remain to the forefront if rural Ireland is to survive and prosper.
