NUI Galway Rural Studies Centre Seminar Series 2022 - Rural Voices Session 2

The second session of NUI Galways Rural Voices Seminar Series featured John Daly, Economist at the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA). John presented an overview of NWRAs recent report entitled Regional Vacancy and Dereliction Analysis, which identified just over 44,000 properties that were either vacant or derelict in the Northern and Western Region, accounting for 37% of all empty properties in Ireland. Furthermore, the analysis found that above average residential and commercial vacancy rates were evident in the majority of towns and villages located in the Northern and Western Region. On this basis, John outlined several recommendations made by the Assembly that should be considered as part of the development of the Town Centre First Policy and other initiatives that aim to redevelop or encourage the redevelopment of empty properties throughout Ireland.