Next step for Milltown up for discussion

MARY IMMACULATE LECTURER WILL PRESENT FINDINGS ON MILLTOWN TO PUBLIC MEETING

MARY Immaculate College Limerick lecturer on rural development and Kerry native Dr Brendan O’Keeffe has called on local community groups and members of the public to a meeting at Nagle-Rice Community Centre to have their say on the findings of his socio-economic study of Milltown.

Kerry County Council (KCC) approached Dr O’Keeffe in November to undertake a study, as he previously compiled a rural vibrancy report in the South Kerry area.

Since then, Dr O’Keeffe has come across intriguing findings about Milltown.

“It involved research on previous census results from the area, and comparing it with results elsewhere in the county,” he said.

“What was found was that Milltown is the fastest growing urban centre in Kerry. In 1991 it was the 20th largest urban centre in the county, but by 2011 it was 10th.

“Milltown also has a very young population. It has a higher number of people aged under-9 than most areas, and one third or so of its population is aged between 20 and 39.”

A study was also carried out on the town’s street-scape, and it was noticed that while half of the area’s houses were built between 2001 and 2011, many living in the area are commuting to Tralee and Killarney to work.

Kerry County Council said it considers this study the first step in developing a socio-economic plan for Milltown and a structure to oversee its implementation.

Thursday night’s meeting is open to everyone from 7pm, and Dr O’Keeffe said it’s up to the people of the community to interpret the collected data, and provide their views on what Milltown’s next steps will be to improve quality of life, economic opportunities, and community development.

KCC said funding for a socio-economic plan will be based on discussions with the community about its next steps.