A new study has suggested the stereotypical image of unhappy commuters feeling isolated in the burgeoning dormitory towns around Dublin is untrue, write Frank McDonald & Kathy Sheridan.
Nearly 60 per cent of the 2,000 families who have moved into Ratoath, Co Meath, in recent years are relatively affluent and working in information technology or at Dublin Airport, according to the research by sociologists at NUI Maynooth.
Ratoath, once a small village near Fairyhouse racecourse, has become the fastest growing centre in Dublin's commuter belt, the new "suburban frontier". Its population soared by more than 82 per cent between 1996 and 2002, to reach 5,585 today.
The study, carried out by Dr Mary Corcoran, Dr Jane Grey and Dr Michel Peillon, found that most of those now living there moved to Ratoath from Dublin, in many cases purchasing detached homes for less than the price of a terraced house in the city. Although 85 per cent of households are married couples with young children, they confound the stereotype of double-income, commuting parents who leave their children in creches. Instead, what emerges is a picture of comfortable, conventional family life.
Fewer than 20 per cent of households have both partners in full-time work and just 10 per cent of children are in full-time creche care. Even though labour force participation for women, at 58 per cent, is higher than average, most of them work part-time.
When asked about sources of help and support, Ratoath demolished another stereotype. Most people surveyed by the Maynooth sociologists mentioned five or six people on whom they could call and, rather surprisingly, more than half of these live locally. There is also surprisingly little orientation towards the city, with most choosing to operate within the triangle of Ratoath (local community/recreation), Blanchardstown (shopping, cinema), and Ashbourne and Navan and Dunshaughlin (swimming, library, doctor). Of the 70 children who attended focus groups, not one expressed an interest in visiting any city centre facility when describing their perfect day out, preferring adventure centres, malls, skateboard and motor tracks, all located on the urban periphery.
The new residents of Ratoath also have plenty to occupy them in the home. Well over 50 per cent have three or more televisions, more than 80 per cent have a computer, a further 30 per cent own a laptop and a higher than average 75 per cent are connected to the Internet.
As in all burgeoning communities, the battle to create adequate infrastructure is continuing. In Ratoath, the campaign is carried on at a muted but sophisticated pitch, with people such as tribunal witness Mr Frank Dunlop heading up the parish finance committee.