A new socio-economic study has projected a total employment income of €25.5 million over a 15-year period following the re-opening of Crusheen railway station. This is the net gain in earnings from the workforce in the catchment area taking employment opportunities in Limerick or Galway versus working within 30 minutes from home.
The study, completed by consultants Repucon for Clare County Council, has revealed €4.5 million is the initial cost estimate for the provision of a platform, infrastructural works, car park and new footbridge link to the village.
In August 2024, Clare County Council commissioned Tom McNamara and Partners to develop a cost estimate for the re-opening of the railway station and associated infrastructure and these consultants produced the €4.5 million figure.
From a value for money perspective, the projected 15-year return on investment of €5.65 for each €1 of capital investment made demonstrates a significant impact on the community and the wider Clare economy.
The study outlined the employment impact of 28 workers changing from locally based employment to Limerick or Galway positions.
This is projected to contribute an additional €230,000 in employment income in the catchment area annually through net salary increases experienced by the 28 employees.
At Census 2022, there were nearly 600 students aged 15 and over living in the catchment area of whom 50% have been assumed to be in third level education.
Reopening the railway station could see six university graduates per year opting to initially remain living in the catchment area while taking new employment in Limerick or Galway.
This is projected to contribute an additional €235,000 in employment income in the catchment area in the first year. Over a 15-year period the cumulative employment income impact is projected to be €10.8 million. This doesn’t include employment income effects that would be associated with any employment taken up by other members of a graduate’s family subsequently moving to the area.
The study predicts the impact of increased population growth and greater desirability of living in Crusheen and surrounding areas will result in eight extra new residents that commute to work in Limerick or Galway and by year five this is expected to be an extra 19 new residents who commute to work.
Up to 92% of respondents surveyed, “very strongly” support the re-opening of Crusheen railway station, with a further 6% “strongly” supporting its return.
The population of the Crusheen Railway Station catchment area has grown from 5,253 in 2016 to 5,759 in 2022, an increase of 9.6%. Crusheen village has also experienced substantial population growth between 2016 and 2022, with the village’s population increasing by 19.5%, growing at a higher rate than Clare’s overall increase of 7.7%.
Between 2002 and 2022, the population of the study area has increased by 48.5%, which is more than double the population growth experienced in Clare at 23.9%.
The population of the core student age groups 13 to 19 years old and 20 to 24 years old increased by 25.3% respectively in 18.9% respectively in 2022 compared to 2016 in the catchment area. Those aged 65 and older increased by 31.9% from 640 in 2016 to 844 in 2022.
The population of Crusheen village grew from 543 people in 2016 to 649 in 2022, an increase of 19.5%. The number at work living in the village rose from 259 to 316, an increase of 22%.
The study found there is an estimated market of 1,700 commuters and students currently living in the catchment area.
In total, 47% of all respondents commute five days a week to work, 16% commute four days and 16% commute three days a week.
The 65% of respondents who travel to Ennis for work do so at least five days a week, 17% travel four days and 13% commute to Ennis three days a week.
A survey found 37% travel to work five days a week in Galway City Centre, 13% travel on four days, 35% travel to Galway City Centre three days per week.
Of those commuting to work in Limerick City Centre, 37% travel five days a week, 28% travel four days a week with 15% commuting on three days per week. Seven out of ten respondents travelling to Gort state they travel at least five days a week.
In total, 22% of those travelling to work in Dublin travel three days a week, 32% travel two days a week and a further 32% travel once a week while 11% make the journey five days a week.
Alan O’Callaghan (FF) Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council stated, “The Western Rail Corridor provides an important regional and intercity rail link connecting County Clare to Limerick and Dublin and to Athenry and Galway. The success of opening services from Limerick to Galway via Ennis can be seen from the number of students, commuters and rail users using our stations in Ennis and Sixmilebridge daily.”
The re-opening of the Crusheen railway station is a strategic objective of the Elected Members of the Municipal District of Killaloe. The Elected Members of Killaloe MD, Brian McCarthy and I met Jim Meade, CEO of Irish Rail, last week with this report and I want to thank Irish Rail for its open, positive and supportive discussions on the merits of the reopening the station.”
Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner with Clare County Council told the meeting, “Census 2022 demonstrated that Crusheen and the catchment area of the railway station from Tulla to Ruan has seen a significant increase in population in recent years and the council believes it is now critically important from a sustainability point of view that the rail service be reinstated to serve the area.
The socio-economic study was commissioned by Clare County Council earlier in the year to provide an evidence-based approach to advocating for reopening the Crusheen rail stop. In addition, in recent weeks, as part of the proposals to create a favourable business case to reopen the station, Clare County Council has purchased land adjoining the rail line and old station. This investment, when taken together with commissioning the report from Repucon, demonstrates the commitment by the Local Authority and its Elected Members to advocate for the reopening to serve commuters, students and all in Crusheen and north and east Clare.”
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.