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Trees are taking over from people in some areas of rural Ireland, Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan told Dáil Éireann this week.
In a debate on rural and community development with the minister with responsibility for that area, Michael Ring, he said that many of the traditions in rural Ireland have been chipped away at and challenged for a long time.
Realistic debate
“If we are to be realistic about a debate on rural Ireland, we need to make sure young people stay in rural communities.
"While agriculture does not fall within the remit of the Minister, it is an issue for rural Ireland and presents major challenges.
“Thankfully, the dairy industry is doing well and people who made the decision to expand in recent years are able to sustain the debt they accrued.
Trees are taking over from people in some areas
"However, many farmers in the beef sector and with more marginal land are giving up and walking away from agriculture.
“This will lead to land abandonment, which is as much an issue on less marginal land as it is on marginal land. Trees are taking over from people in some areas,” he said.
He cited the village of Rockchapel in his own constituency, saying that 60% of the land in the parish has been planted.
“That is not acceptable. We want people and vibrant communities, rather than having trees everywhere. Young people will live in these communities,” he said.
Rural crime
Rural crime was also brought up in the debate by Labour TD Willie Penrose, who said that as farmers are getting older they are the target of thugs.
“Older farmers have also been the target of thugs who target isolated homes before speeding away.
“In 2015, we piloted a closed-circuit television (CCTV) scheme in Dunmore, Co Laois, to begin combating rural crime and to increase road safety.
"No progress has been made since, despite a continuous surge in rural crime.
“The roll-out of CCTV in rural areas has been continuously delayed due to the Minister’s failure to clarify the issue relating to data management.
"This Government needs to cop on and take some responsibility and stop blaming local authorities,” he said.
Deputy Penrose also said that more than half of the farmers are aged over 55.
“Working alone can lead to serious risks for farmers, with 14 farmers aged over 65 killed in farm accidents in 2017.
"At the same time, the number of people farming under the age of 35 has fallen, from 8,200 to 7,100.
“Without generational renewal, this places the long-term viability of many small Irish farms at risk.
"We would maintain funding for farm safety measures under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme (TAMS) beyond the 2020 deadline, with earmarked funding for young farmers.
“The early retirement scheme, which operated up until 2008-09, should also be reintroduced.
"This would not only provide older farmers with a more secure pension in their old age, but would also promote increased pathways for younger farmers,” he said.
Illegal dumping is another crime at epidemic levels in rural Ireland the Labour TD said, with farmers often suffering from fly-tipping on their land.
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