Concern in Waterford over ‘unprecedented’ rate of pub closures in rural areas

A Waterford TD has raised concerns over the “unprecedented” rate of rural pub closures across the country.

Sinn Féin TD Conor D McGuinness raised the issue during a recent ‘Priority Questions’ session in the Dáil.

Deputy McGuinness said: “More than 2,200 pubs have closed across the State since 2005, with closures now accelerating to around 128 per year.

“In rural areas, the pub is often far more than a business. It is a meeting place, a social hub and a venue for music, sport and local culture.

“It is sometimes the last remaining indoor public gathering space in a village or rural community.

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“Does the Minister share my concern at the scale of rural pub closures? What engagement has he had with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on protecting their long-term viability?”

In response, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, said that he is aware of the challenges faced by rural pubs.

He explained that whilst most of these challenges fall under the remit of the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, there is a cross-Government approach to rural development.

Minister Calleary went on to outline the measures being introduced by his Department to tackle the issues at hand.

He stated: “As Deputy McGuinness set out, rural pubs play an important social role in rural communities in particular. I am conscious of the challenge of rural isolation.

“With this in mind, the Department has a range of funding streams to help address the issue.

“These supports include the local enhancement programme, the community services programme, the social inclusion community activation programme and the seniors alert programme.

“There is no doubt that our significant investment in the community centre investment fund in recent years has helped to ensure our rural areas have high-quality facilities that serve as focal points for communities.”

Minister Calleary concluded by saying that the new Our Rural Future policy will provide a framework for continued investment in rural communities in the coming years.

Deputy McGuinness responded by acknowledging the fact that many of the challenges facing rural pubs are a matter for other Government departments.

However, he highlighted the wider impact that pub closures can have on rural communities.

“The Minister is correct that the supports are matters primarily for the Ministers with responsibility for enterprise, finance and taxation and that they fall under enterprise, taxation, tourism and hospitality policy.

“However, as he acknowledged, rural pubs also sit squarely under rural development.

“When a rural pub closes, the impact is not just limited to the licence holder or business. It is not just the loss of enterprise, economic activity and employment.

“The community loses its social anchor in many respects. In rural areas, older people, single men, farmers, musicians, local sports clubs, tourists and community groups all lose a space.”

Deputy McGuinness added that this was particularly serious given the prevalence of rural isolation, particularly among older men.

In response, Minister Calleary said the Government is committed to investing in rural social infrastructure.

He added that a Community Centre Investment Fund for investment of €25 million will be opened in the coming week.