Rural Restructuring and Rural In-Migration Patterns in Ireland By Shane John Herbert O’Sullivan A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Geography at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick. Supervised by: Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe and Prof. Des McCafferty Submitted to Mary Immaculate College, December 2013 This wall mural is located in Castlebalyney, Co. Monaghan. It illustrates the processes and patterns of globalisation and multiculturalism within contemporary rural Ireland. Abstract In recent decades, the rural economic base in Ireland, similar to that of other developed countries across the globe, has witnessed a period of significant structural change, with academic literature coining the term rural restructuring to classify and describe this socio-economic transition. The restructuring or reshaping of rural areas is strongly influenced by the processes and patterns of globalisation. As a result, there has been a knock-on effect on population structure. Some locations, particularly those in close proximity to urban centres and with high levels of connectivity, have thrived whilst others, that are considered to be peripheral, have declined dramatically. In the past decade, there has also been a significant change in the ethnic composition of the population in Ireland. The foreign national population has steadily increased in both absolute and relative terms, from 5.8% (224,261) in 2002 to 12% (320,096) in 2011 (CSO, 2012). Despite the severe economic downturn, the number of foreign nationals has continued to increase, with a 124,624 rise in the number of foreign nationals between the 2006 and 2011 Censuses of Population. The changing ethnic profile of Ireland is not a purely an urban phenomenon, with specific rural areas types witnessing a dramatic and sizeable inflow of economic migrants from across the globe. In some instances, this has occurred through the establishment of asylum centres in rural locations, but this thesis is solely examining the role of economic migrants who can legally and legitimately work in Ireland. On average, foreign nationals account for 5.8% of the total population residing in ‘pure’ rural areas (excluding towns and villages), with specific rural locations having a significantly higher proportion. This thesis examines the linkages between rural restructuring and rural in-migration in Ireland and presents research findings from two contrasting case studies, specifically Counties Monaghan and Limerick. The utilisation of a cross-section of methodological tools, incorporating household and business questionnaires; and semi-structured interviews, whilst including secondary data analysis, provided a robust and triangulated approach to achieving the principle aim and objectives of this research project. Key findings from this study include: the diversification of the rural economic base providing employment opportunities for economic migrants (confined to particular rural area types), especially within low-paid and low-skilled occupations; the emergence of ethnic orientated / migrant businesses in locations with a high density of immigrants; a low labour market (job generation) multiplier effect associated with net in-migration; and a desire amongst in- migrants to remain resident at their current location for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, this thesis documents and analyses the various integration and diversity raising awareness initiatives / programmes devised by statutory and non-statutory agencies, thereby enabling the forging of positive community relations between the migrant and indigenous communities. However, these initiatives are currently being curtailed or abandoned due to a lack of financial resources. This thesis concludes by predicting future socio-economic and demographic changes within rural Ireland and by providing a list of recommendations for key stakeholders (migrant and indigenous communities; policymakers; statutory agencies; and community and voluntary sector) with respect to harnessing the socio-economic potential of migrants within a rural space. i Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis represents my own work and has not been submitted, in whole or in part, by me or any other person, for the purpose of obtaining any other qualification. Signed: ________________________________________ Date: __________________________________________ ii Dedication I dedicate this thesis to my parents, John & Margaret O’Sullivan, for their unyielding and continuous support. iii Acknowledgements Firstly, I would like to acknowledge my supervisors. A sincere thank you to Dr. Brendan O’Keeffe, your supportive and constructive supervision of this research project is greatly appreciated. I am also very grateful to Prof. Des McCafferty (Head, Department of Geography) for his helpful comments and guidance throughout my postgraduate studies. I am also very grateful for the support which I have received from the other members of faculty in the Mary Immaculate College, Geography Department. This includes: Dr. Hélène Bradley-Davis, Dr. Catherine Dalton and Dr. Angela Cloke-Hayes. This research project was funded by the Irish Social Sciences Platform (ISSP), which is funded under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, administered by the HEA, and co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). I am very grateful for this financial assistance. Furthermore, I wish to acknowledge the Geographical Society of Ireland for their assistance through a Postgraduate Field-Trip Award. I have to acknowledge the gracious support I have received from current and former postgraduate students in the Department of Geography. These include: Darren Barry, Margaret Browne, Teresa Broggy, Filippo Cassina, Grainne Dwyer, Ruth Guiry, Sean Halligan, Enda Keenan, Bernie McCarthy, Joyce Novak, Treasa Sheehan, Karin Sparber and Ciara Younge. A special heart-felt thanks to my parents, for your help, advice and support throughout my education. Your support is greatly appreciated. During my studies at Mary Immaculate College, I have made many friends, especially in the One World Society and Mary Immaculate Students’ Union (MISU). There are too many people to mention individually, but I am very thankful for your support in recent years. However, I want to pay a special tribute to Sr. Delia O’Connor (former chaplain), for her dedication in advocating and supporting social justice issues, both on and off campus. A special thank you to Blayney Blades International and Golden Translation Service, Iontas, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan for the translation of the household questionnaires into various languages. I would also like to thank Connie Curtin for proof-reading a section of thesis. Finally, I have to pay a special thank you to all of the participants in this research study. These include the household and business questionnaire respondents; and interviewees from various statutory and non-statutory agencies. Your personal contribution was vital for the successful completion of this research study. iv Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. i Author’s Declaration ........................................................................................................ ii Dedication ........................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... iv Table of Figures ................................................................................................................ x Table of Maps ................................................................................................................. xii Table of Tables .............................................................................................................. xiv Table of Appendixes ....................................................................................................... xv Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Context of Research Topic ......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aim and Objectives .................................................................................................... 4 1.2.1 Aim .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.2 Objectives ................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Thesis Outline ............................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................ 7 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 7 2.2 The Globalisation of the Rural Economy ................................................................... 9 2.3 Agricultural Change ................................................................................................. 22 2.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 22 2.3.2 Farm