8. Planning and
Development
8.5
Analysis by DED
A
set of six indicators were recorded for each DED within the
constraints study area, namely population density, population
change, change in the total at work, percentage employed in
manufacturing industries, unemployment rate, and percentage
employed in the primary sector. Using a statistical formula
specific to each indicator, each DED within the constraints
study area was placed in a percentage band based on their
performance. It should be noted that this information is based
on the population that resided in each DED during the 1991
and 1996 census according to the CSO small area information.
8.5.1
Population Density - 1996
The
constraints study area is divided into four population density
bands (see Figure 3, Appendix B). The population density of
each DED varies from greater than 150 persons per square kilometre
to less than 25 persons per square kilometre.
The densely populated DEDs are located in and surrounding
the towns of Kilkenny and Thomastown. The areas of lowest
population density are generally in upland areas, relatively
remote form the principal settlements. The areas of lowest
population density are generally in upland areas, relatively
remote form the principal settlements.
8.5.2
Percentage Population Change 1991 - 1996
Using this indicator, DEDs within the constraints study area
are divided in five population percentage change bands ranging
from -19.3 to 52.6 per cent (Figure 4, Appendix B).
The
DEDs which experienced large population decline (-19.3 to
6%) are generally located in marginal rural areas and many
of them correspond to areas of low population density.
While
DEDs located around Carlow and Kilkenny experienced population
increases in the 1991-96 intercensal period, some DEDs surrounding
Athy and New Ross recorded a decline, indicating the relative
weakness of these urban centres.
8.5.3
Percentage Change in Total at Work 1991-1996
The study area is divided into five bands of percentage change
in the total population 'at work' between 1991 and 1996, varying
from -16.2 to 72.6 per cent (Figure 5, Appendix B). It should
be noted that these data refer to place of residence not place
of work. The majority of DEDs fall within the 7.5 to 16 per
cent change band and these are evenly dispersed across the
study area.
In general, the northern section of the study area experienced
higher levels of growth in the numbers at work, possibly reflecting
the relative strength of urban centres in this area as well
as the influence of commuting to the Dublin area. In contrast,
the southern section of the study area experienced relatively
lower percentage changes in the total population 'at work'
during the 1991 to 1996 period with a number of DEDs recording
a modest 0 to 16 per cent increase.
The
DEDs recording a decrease in numbers at work are mainly located
in relatively remote and/or upland areas, and many of these
correspond to DEDs with a weak demographic structure as identified
on Figures 3 and 4, Appendix B.
8.5.4
Percentage Employed in Manufacturing Industries - 1996
Using this indicator the study area is divided into four categories
(Figure 6, Appendix B). The percentage of those who are employed
manufacturing industries varies from 3.3 to 35.9 per cent.
The indicator shows where those employed in manufacturing
industries reside. It does not indicate where the manufacturing
industries are located.
The relative strength of the northern section of the study
area is evident. Three concentrations may be identified in
this area as follows:
-
along the N78 from Kilcullen to Castlecomer;
- between
Castlecomer and Carlow;
- along
the N9 from Carlow to Bagenalstown. These reflect the traditional
industrial base of Carlow and Athy and may also reflect
the relative accessibility to work provided by the National
Route system.
Within the southern section, the DEDs with the highest concentration
of those employed in manufacturing industries concentrate
in the \Waterford area. The relatively low percentage of workers
in manufacturing in the vicinity of Kilkenny is also apparent.
This probably reflects the importance of services, including
tourism, as an economic activity in Kilkenny as compared with
manufacturing.
8.5.5
Percentage Unemployment rate - 1996
The unemployment rate is defined as unemployed plus 1st job
seekers as a percentage of the total labour force. In 1996
in the study area, percentage unemployment rate fell into
four bands ranging from 3.5 to 28.1 per cent (Figure 7, Appendix
B).
The northern section recorded higher percentages in the rate
of unemployment than the southern section. The unemployment
rate in the northern section lies between 15.9 to 28.1 in
the majority of DEDs. The northern section also contained
a number of DEDs in the 9.7 to 15.9 per cent category. In
some respects, this is surprising, given the employment opportunities
in the Dublin area and the evidence of commuting provided
by the other indicators. However, it may reflect the decline
of traditional industries in the area.
Within
the southern section the rate of unemployment is significantly
lower with the majority DEDs in the two lower bands 3.5 to
9.7per cent. Six DEDs within the southern section fell into
the 15.9 to 22.1 per cent bands. None of the DEDs in the southern
section fell into the highest percentage band.
8.5.6
Percentage at Work in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing -
1996
This indicator shows the percentage of the DED population
that were at work in the primary industries of agriculture,
fishing or forestry in 1996 (Figure 8, Appendix B). The DEDs
were divided into four bands ranging from 0.6 to 59.1per cent.
DEDs surrounding the main urban centres Athy, Carlow, Kilkenny
and Waterford Environs fall into the 0.6-14.5per cent band,
the lowest band. The remaining DEDs portray an even distribution
across the study area.
8.5.7
Rural Typology
A
map of Rural Typology was developed as part of the study of
the Irish Rural Structure and Gaeltacht Areas Study commissioned
by the Spatial Planning Unit in the Department of the Environment.
The study was carried out by Fitzpatrick Associates in association
with NUI Maynooth and Brady Shipman Martin. From this work,
it was possible to identify Urban DEDs, which are those DEDs
aggregated to Urban Districts (as defined by the CSO), other
DEDs with a population density in excess of 150 persons per
square kilometre (following an OECD definition of urban regions)
and DEDs which contained other urban centres of 1,500 population
or greater. These DEDs were then excluded from further analysis.
Using
Cluster Analysis on the remaining DEDs generated a spatial
classification of the rural part of the study area (Figure
9, Appendix B). Using combinations of socio-economic variables,
six clusters or types of rural areas were identified and these
are described in Table 4, Appendix B.
The urban and peri-urban areas are generally densely populated
and represent the locations of most economic activities, as
well as the principal centres of population. The remainder
of the study area is generally made up of Cluster Areas 2
and 3 which are generally recognised as being strong agricultural
areas.
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