25/02/2004

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

The Future of Rural Communities in South Dublin

South Dublin County Council Development Board are delighted to host “The Future of Rural Communities in South Dublin” a conference to be held at Finnstown House Hotel, Lucan on 26 February 2004, which offers delegates the opportunity to listen to, and discuss a variety of prominent issues relating to living and working in the rural areas of South Dublin.

South Dublin County Development Board was established in March 2000 with the objective of providing joined up government at local level. The Board has devised a strategy entitled: “South Dublin—A Place for People” in order to give effect to its mandate.  The Development Board have launched a new website www.southdublin.ie which will become an online local information service for South Dublin County and which will provide interactive education, entertainment, business and services information content.

In the Council’s administrative area approx. 5% of the population live in rural regions, which makes up 58% of the land area of the county which is largely devoted to agriculture. 

The Conference will be facilitated through a comprehensive programme of presentations and workshops in both the morning and afternoon sessions. The conference will be opened by County’s Mayor, Máire Árdagh and addressed by Keynote Speaker; Eamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Cllr John Hannon, Chairperson of the Board, in a statement announced “It is important that our rural communities survive and prosper. To do so, we must ensure their long-term viability through the adoption of policies that enable them to live in their own communities. Pushing them into our new urban developments is not the answer. With recent changes to EU agricultural policies, it is essential that we look anew at how best to revitalise the rural economy. The best way to protect the scenic Dublin Mountain area is through those who live and work there”

Issued on behalf of the Council by Head of Corporate Services Benny Hickey

benny.hickey@sdublincoco.ie