28 areas classed as ‘disadvantaged’ despite overall prosperity

The city is the third most affluent local authority centre in the country  . . . but there are still 28 small areas classified as disadvantaged, according to the findings of a major City Council report.

Ten of those 28 ‘small areas’ classified as disadvantaged under a Census-based Deprivation Scoring system are in Ballybane, while parts of Newcastle, Mervue and Shantalla also slip below the national average.

The Galway City Local Economic and Community Plan – discussed by the City Council last week – pointed out, that like any other part of the country, the city was ‘massively affected’ by the economic downturn after 2008.

In the report presented to councillors by City Council Senior Executive Officer, Liam Hanrahan, it indicated that the city ranked as ‘the third most affluent’ local authority area in Ireland.

However concerns have been expressed by local councillors over the high number of ‘small areas’ that are now officially classified as disadvantaged.

Cllr Catherine Connolly said that the challenge presented in the Community Plan report was the fact that while Galway was the third most affluent city in the country, there were still 28 areas of disadvantage in the city.

For more on the report, see this week’s Galway City Tribune