Wexfordwillloseout toWaterfordunder plan, warnsBrowne

DEPUTY James Browne has warned that rural communities in Wexford will suffer under the government’s latest national development plan, with the four main towns in the county losing out as well.

The ‘Ireland 2040’ plan was published last month by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney and sets out the key development priorities for the government over the next 23 years.

However, Deputy Browne said the plan was ‘underwhelming with a disproportionate focus on encouraging economic development in our major cities while areas such as Wexford miss out.’

‘ This is a short-sighted decision as the infrastructure in the cities is already creaking under the pressure of continued population growth.’

Deputy Browne said sky high rents are also putting enormous strain on people’s incomes in these areas and they are likely to go even higher.

‘ The government should have used this new plan as a way for incentivising development in small towns, villages and rural communities in Wexford,’ he said in a statement.

Deputy Browne said he was particularly concerned by the fact that Waterford City is the only area in the entire south east which has been earmarked in this development plan.

‘I fear that towns such as Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey and New Ross could suffer as a result of this decision.

‘Government agencies will now be focusing on developing Waterford City, which will ultimately end up taking resources away from Wexford,’ he said.