Donegal TD expresses deep disappointment over latest disposable income figures

A south Donegal TD Marian Harkin has expressed deep disappointment at the latest CSO figures showing that the northern and western region has the lowest disposable income per person in the country.

“The figures as published clearly show the gap between the northern and western region and rest of the country is getting wider and wider,” Ms Harkin said, “in 2011 people in the northern and western region had a disposable annual income that was €1,400 per person below the state average, in 2021 it was behind by almost €4,000 per person.

“Despite the most strenuous efforts of The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NRWA), the Western Development Commission (WDC) and numerous other bodies and individuals, successive governments seem to be tone deaf to the issue. Meanwhile, regional disparities continue to go in the wrong direction,” she said.

Poor result as Donegal records lowest disposable income in the State

The key findings of the CSO publication, County Incomes and Regional GDP, were reviewed at the NWRA’s February meeting. A report on the findings presented to the meeting identified a lack of investment in infrastructure assets and a weak urban structure in the Northern and Western Region as contributing the disparities.

“The government needs to look at these facts and figures through proactive eyes and urgently put together a sizeable stimulus package for the region. It also needs to establish a policy of positive discrimination for the north and west,” Ms Harkin said.