Mother’s letter - the stark reality!

The following is a copy of a letter sent to Minister Eamon Ryan regarding the situation in Mitchelstown. We have witheld the person’s name:

Dear Mr Ryan, My name is X and I am a resident in Mitchelstown, Co Cork. I have lived here all my life. Mitchelstown is a beautiful town, centrally located and has lots to offer. Except for one big thing.

We are unable to provide housing for our upcoming generation and therefore our town will die in the short to medium term. Starved of much needed resources and the care it needs from the people who lead our country.

Covid has put a new slant on everything, and that which seemed impossible this time last year is now totally transformed. I am referring here to the work practices in place. Where a vast number of people are now working remotely and it is now an option to escape our cramped and costly cities.

I have 4 young working professional adults in the family who are looking at coming home and escaping the rat race. Perhaps you can give me advice on how to tell them that they can come to any rural town or village... as long as it is not Mitchelstown?

We are closed for business.

No building is allowed as we find ourselves in the unenviable position on being unable to expand our town and breathe life into the area that is being stifled by the lack of progress and the embargo on new entrants to the town. Businesses and families are suffering. Commercial organisations are stifled and innovation cut off at its knees.

Among the many failures of the state to provide support for our area, is the water issue.

The nub of the problem is that Irish Water has been aware that there is need for a new waste water system for many years, but has delayed dealing with the problem. I understand that planning permission is to be sought for a new plant, but as yet it has not been applied for. Which means that the timeline, and lifeline of progress for our town is running out. So again, if I could ask you for your advice on how to tell your family they cannot move home. I wonder if you have ever had to consider such a reality – my gut says clearly not. However I would ask you to consider that now is a time for great change, and Mitchelstown is being denied this immense chance to progress and grow.

I am asking you to intervene and help the people of Mitchelstown.

Can you do something to help us? We are simply asking for that which should have been done in the years past by you, your predecessors and the state leaders who have continually let us down in this – and other matters.

I won’t get into asking what happened to all the funding that has been spent in the past. I just want to know, when is it going to be our turn? Why are we paying for the inefficiencies of Irish Water? Is there a reasoning for why the requirements of our town are so low down your list of priorities?

Again, when considering this, I want you to think about my family, and the families of many others in the area who will have to have this exact conversation.

When can I tell my family that they can come home?

Yours, in anticipation of a positive outcome.