POPULATION DECLINE:A FALL in the population of Limerick city by 5 per cent over the last five years has led to calls for an acceleration of local regeneration projects.
As in the 2006 census, Limerick city was one of only two administrative counties to experience a fall in population – a trend partly attributed to the number of families which have left problem housing estates.
“Certainly the problems in the regeneration areas which led to regeneration in the first place, are a factor in the population decline,” Brendan Kenny, chief executive of Limerick Regeneration, said.
“In the North Limerick rural division which includes the most highly populated area of Moyross like Pineview Gardens, Delmege and Craeval Park, there has been a significant level of problems which have led to people leaving the area.”
Some 900 families have been relocated under the city’s regeneration process which began in 2007, and there are 400 fewer houses in the Moyross housing estate alone since the last census was carried out.
Three electoral divisions in Limerick city feature in the top 10 areas which have seen the highest percentage of depopulation in the country.
In the Galvone B district, which comprises O’Malley Park and Keyes Park in Southill, figures show almost half of the people living there five years ago have left. “Our ambition is to stop the slide and ultimately to see an increase in population . . . but I think we would be naive to think we are going to achieve that in the next five years,” Mr Kenny said.
Limerick city also recorded the highest level of outward migration in the Republic, with a net outflow rate of 17.2 per thousand people. This is attributed in part to the blow dealt in January 2009 when 1,900 people were made redundant at Dell’s manufacturing facility in Raheen.
A subsequent report by Forfás predicted that 9,500 jobs would be lost in the mid-west region as a result, a prediction which was “quite close to the mark” according to Dr Anthony Leddin, head of economics at the University of Limerick.
“The report also predicted that about €117 million disposable income would be taken out of the local economy resulting in the loss of 350 jobs in local shops. The whole effect of this obviously had a big impact on the population and migration patterns. It was a huge blow to the region.”
Dr Leddin is hopeful plans announced earlier this week for a major change in the local governance of Limerick would bring about a positive change for the city centre. “As long as the savings that are made through the amalgamation are passed on in lower rates to the city. That would be a key thing there. The rates in Limerick are far too high and that’s why all the shops are closing down,” Dr Leddin said.
Kieran Lehane, director of housing, Limerick City Council, described the statistics for migration for the mid-west region as “frightening”.
“The figures are clearly indicating that there’s migration occurring all over the country but the mid-west has seriously underperformed in terms of the migration and that has an impact on Limerick city. You need to be able to attract people to live, work and study in Limerick.”