Census shows 21,000 more people living in county

Meath's current population of 184,034 is the highest it has been since before the Famine and shows a 13 per cent increase since 2006. The 13 per cent growth rate is one of the highest in the country and has sparked calls for a debate on proper planning for schools, hospitals, transport and other services throughout the county. The 2006 census showed there were almost 163,000 people resident in Meath. The first results of the 2011 census, held just 12 weeks ago, show the total population of Ireland was 4,581,269, an increase of 341,421 (8.1 per cent) on the 2006 census. The preliminary results show there are 91,837 males and 92,197 females living in Meath, which has the third highest growth rate in the country after Laois and Fingal. The figures show a total of 6,365 vacant dwellings in Meath and a vacancy rate of 9.1 per cent. This compares to a nationwide vacancy rate of 14.7 per cent. A breakdown of the enumeration areas shows increases in almost every corner of the county, except in the town of Kells where the population has dropped by 46, or two per cent, since 2006. However, the Kells rural area has seen a population increase of 9.8 per cent from 13,950 in 2006 to 15,320 this year. The east Meath area has seen the biggest increase in population at 17 per cent to 32,695, while the Dunshaughlin area has also seen a big increase of 15.5 per cent to 48,391. The figures for Navan town and its rural hinterland have been skewed by the change in the town boundary since the last election. This has seen the town's population rise by a dramatic 659.5 per cent from 3,710 to 28,179 over the past five years, as the town's boundary has been extended to include all of the new housing estates built in recent years. However, the Navan rural area has seen a 56.4 per cent decrease in population from 36,348 in 2006 to 15,855 in 2011, having lost much of its population to Navan town. The population of Trim town has increased 4.7 per cent to 1,440, but the Trim rural area has seen a 14.9 per cent population increase to 32,212. The population in the greater Oldcastle area is up by 8.2 per cent to 4,629, while the north Meath/Drumconrath area has seen a population increase of 2.8 per cent to 3,102. The constituency of Meath West enjoyed an 11.9 per cent population increase, while Meath East grew by 12.9 per cent, but the population growth is unlikely to lead to an additional TD in for the county. Deputy Peadar Tóibín welcomed the population increase. "The argument for properly funded services and jobs in Meath has never been stronger. Theis population increase means that we need a properly funded hospital, schools, community facilities and local authority. The government have no excuse not to bring about a major jobs investment into Meath. This population increase clearly indicates that if we plan properly, Meath has a great future," he said. Senator Thomas Byrne pointed out that areas in east Meath had grown considerably over the past five years, particularly areas like Ashbourne, Ratoath and Stamullen. "These population changes will have a massive impact on the provision of educational, housing and social services. The government must put into action a review of services in these areas in order to ensure that they are ready for the needs of the future. "Young families in east Meath will need more school places, more crèches and more play facilities if we are to give our children the best possible start in life," he said. "In areas such as the town of Kells, the census figures have shown us that there is an urgent need to extend the town council boundaries. This will allow those residents who live in the town of Kells to gain access to the services provided by Kells Town Council." He said he was concerned there were only marginal increases in population and in parts of rural north Meath. "This is a worrying trend and is something I feel should looked at by both local and national government. Perhaps the time has come to review some of the really restrictive planning regulations in certain parts of the county to ensure that all local people who wish to live in their own area can in fact do so," added Senator Byrne.