New CSO data shows regional inequality in Ireland continues to rise with west hit hard

New disposable income figures from the CSO show the estimated gap between the northern and western region of Ireland and the national average has increased to €3,237 per person in 2020, which was three times higher than the corresponding gap in 2010 – when it was only €1,136 – and the gap in 2000 when it was on €1,307

Notably, the gap between the northern and western region of Ireland and the national average has progressively risen over the past decade, with the northern and western region underperforming in terms of disposable income growth in 8 of the last 10 years.

The latest increase in regional inequality can be credited to the fact that disposable income in the northern and western region of Ireland is estimated to have increased by 6.3% or €1,204 per person in 2020, which was less than the national growth rate of 7.2% or €1,583.

Such trends worsen when this new CSO data is examined on a sub-regional level, with the estimated gap in disposable income between the border and Dublin increasing to €8,235 per person in 2020, which was significantly higher than the same gap in 2010 when it was €3,463.

Similarly, the estimated gap in disposable income between the west and Dublin increased to €6,928 per person in 2020, which was considerably higher than the same gap in 2010, when it was €2,074.

Furthermore, all eight counties based in the northern and western region of Ireland recorded disposable income levels that were below the state average of €23,615 per person, with Donegal recording the lowest average disposable income in the region at an estimated €18,656 in 2020.

Rural regions such as the northern and western region could be left behind unless this trend is reversed according to the Northern & Western Regional Assembly, which has analysed the newly released data and believe a step change is needed to close the gap and deliver balanced regional development in line with Project Ireland 2040.

Commenting, John Daly, Economist of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly said: “Underinvestment in the key infrastructure assets of the northern and western region is likely to have contributed to rising regional inequalities.

"Over the past decade, the region has experienced long-term underinvestment in national roads, third-level education, further education and research infrastructure; with such infrastructure key to growing a region’s economy and disposable income levels.

"For example, the higher education institutes based in the northern and western region – on average – received capital funding of €316 per undergraduate enrolled between 2010 and 2020 – which was below the corresponding national figure of €375 – while such capital investment was below the state average in 8 out of the last 11 inclusive years.

"Such trends further reinforce the need to provide additional funding to grow and expand the forthcoming Atlantic Technological University – along with other educational bodies in the region – as they are vital to improving the region’s economy and reducing regional disparities.”

David Minton, director of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly, said: “Considering the performance of the northern and western region’s economy in recent years, such results are unsurprising.

"The European Commission has already downgraded the region from a “More Developed Region” to a “Transition Region” – the only region in Ireland to hold such a status – while the northern and western region is now the only region in Ireland to be classified by the European Commission as a “Moderate Innovator”.

"To overcome these challenges and reduce regional inequality, it is clear that a policy of “Positive Discrimination” needs to be urgently adopted towards the northern and western region of Ireland. In this regard, “Positive Discrimination” would involve a higher rate of investment – per head of population – being provided to the northern and western region in order to stimulate the region’s economy, improve the region’s skills base, enhance the region’s innovation and research capabilities and deliver the vision and objectives of Project Ireland 2040.

"Failure to do so could further intensify rising regional inequalities, weaken social cohesion and undermine the delivery of key national policies such as the Programme for Government, Project Ireland 2040, the Climate Action Plan and Housing for All.”