County left out in the cold

Rural dwellers in County Galway have to travel some of the longest distances in the country – just to reach the most basic of services.

Figures released this week by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that Galway had the highest proportion of the population living over 10km from a 24-hour garda station (70%) – compared with a national average of 8km.

Galway residents were also at the bottom of the pile when distance was measured from the nearest local authority fire station was measured – with 56% of the population over 10km away from their nearest. Nationally, the distance to the nearest fire station is closer to 5.5%.

Those living in Galway City benefit from the centralisation of many vital services, with most city dwellers just 3km form a 24-hour garda station and 3.4km from the fire station.

People in rural Galway were among the worst served for many everyday services, with the average distance from the nearest Emergency Department and maternity hospital exceeding 30km – compared to an average of 5.6km for those in the city.

Those living in the county are usually 10.1km from their nearest bank; 6.8km from their local GP; and 5.6km from the local pharmacy.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.