Wexford TDs Raise Concerns Over Housing, Remote Working & Rural Services

Two Wexford TDs have raised concerns about housing, remote working and the decline of rural services during a Dáil debate on the Government's new rural development strategy.

Deputies George Lawlor and Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin were speaking about Our Rural Future 2026–2031, which sets out the Government's plans to support rural communities over the coming five years.

Both questioned whether the strategy would deliver meaningful improvements for people living and working in rural Ireland.

Deputy George Lawlor accused the Government of failing to match its promises with action, particularly when it comes to investment outside Dublin.

He said rural communities such as those in County Wexford had heard numerous commitments before but would ultimately judge the strategy on what was delivered.

"It would appear that when Dublin needs investment, the Government writes a cheque. But when the likes of County Wexford needs investment, the Government writes a strategy," he told the Dáil.

Deputy Lawlor also questioned the Government's commitment to remote working, pointing out that his proposed legislation to strengthen the right to work remotely had been rejected.

He argued that the Government was now promoting digital hubs in rural communities while failing to support measures that would allow more people to work from their home areas.

He also highlighted pressures facing post offices, inadequate public transport and difficulties accessing healthcare in rural communities.

Meanwhile, Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin raised concerns about the impact of inadequate wastewater infrastructure on housing development in Ferns and Camolin.

He said the lack of wastewater treatment facilities was preventing smaller developers from building much-needed homes in rural towns and villages.

Deputy Ó Súilleabháin warned that the shortage of housing in Camolin was having a knock-on effect on the local community, with fewer young families and children to sustain the primary school.

He said the issue had been discussed since he first joined Wexford County Council in 2014, yet little progress had been made.

The deputy also warned that rural depopulation and emigration were threatening the future of communities across Ireland, with young people increasingly unable to afford to buy, build or rent homes in their own localities.

He said the success of the Government's rural strategy should be measured by whether young people could remain in their communities and raise families.

Both TDs called for greater emphasis on practical improvements, including housing, infrastructure and essential public services, rather than Government commitments alone.