City 2. Demographic and Socio-Economic Trends

2.1.1       Population

Census 2011 records the population of County Kilkenny as 95,419 which is an increase of 7,861 over the population recorded in 2006[1].  This is a 9% population increase for the county over the period and compares well with the State which averaged an increase of 8%.  Kilkenny City (environs and borough area combined) recorded a population of 24,423 in 2011 which is an increase 2,244 (10.1%) over the population recorded in 2006.

 

Table 2.1 Recorded population 1996 - 2011
	1996	2002	2006	2011
Kilkenny County	75,336	80,399	87,558	95,419
Kilkenny City[2]	18,696	20,735	22,179	24,423
Borough Council area[3]	8,507	8,591	8,661	8,721

 

The area of the Borough Council has also increased in population but the rate of increase has been much lower than the suburban area.  Between 2006 and 2011 the Borough area grew by 0.7% while the entire area grew by 10.1%.

 

At a regional level Kilkenny City performed well compared to other large urban areas in the South East, being the only county town to exceed 10% population increase.

 

Table 2.2  Recorded population in the South East region
	2006	2011	Percentage  change
Clonmel	15,482	17,793	+2%
Kilkenny	22,179	24,423	+10.1%
Waterford City	45,748	46,732	+2.2%
Wexford	18,163	19,645	+8.1%

 

2.1.2       Population Trends

The State has shown strong population growth since 1996 with increases in the region of 8% in each of the inter-censal periods. Census 2011 shows that Kilkenny country continued to undergo strong population growth, with an 8.2% increase in the population of the State from 2006.  Kilkenny City has reflected this trend also with growth rates of 10.9%, 6.9% and 9% within the inter-censal periods since 1996.

The city has grown at a faster rate than either the county or the state. This is an indication that the city is performing well in its role as a Hub under the National Spatial Strategy.

2.1.3       Household size

The changing nature of household patterns is an important consideration for the Plan.  In 2002 the average household size within the county was 3.3.  In 2006 the average household size had decreased to 2.88.  The 2011 Census records an average of 2.8 people per household throughout the county (the state average is 2.7).  This decrease in household size is also reflected in the city’s population.  Table 2.3   shows a continuing trend towards the formation of smaller households in the aggregate town areas.

 

As Kilkenny city is by far the largest urban area within the county, (71.6% of urban population) for calculating household size it is assumed that the household size in the city equates to the average household size for all urban areas within the county, at 2.57.  This has implications for the amount of zoned land required.

 

Table 2.3 Average Household size for aggregate town areas
	No. of households	Persons in  households	Average household size
2002	8,239	22,713	2.75
2006	11,355	29,536	2.6
2011	13,250	34,089	2.57

 

2.1.4       Population Forecasts

The population targets for the City & County are set by the South East Regional Planning Guidelines[4], which were adopted in 2010 for the period 2010 – 2022.  The targets set for the City and County are set out in Table 2.4 below.

 

Table 2.4 Regional Planning Guidelines population figures
	2010	2014	2016	2020	2022
Kilkenny County	96,872	102,689	105,598	109,802	111,903
Kilkenny City	24,000	25,200	25,800	27400	28,200

 

The 2011 Census recorded an actual population figure of 24,423 for the City.  This figure is slightly above the expected RPG’s targets set for the city[5]. 

However, as with the county population, it is prudent that the figures for the population targets be adjusted to take account of the Census 2011 results.  Accordingly Table 2.5 below gives a population target using the RPG figures but adjusted to take account of the 2011 results.

 

 

Table 2.5 Adjusted Regional Planning Guidelines figures
	2011 Actual	2012	2014[6]	2016	2020	2022
Kilkenny County	95,419	96,873	99,781	105,598	109,802	111,903
Kilkenny City	24,423	24,723	25,323	25,800	27,400	28,200

 

The figures for 2020 are derived from applying the annual average increase predicted by the South East Regional Planning Guidelines  to the period between 2016 and 2020.

 

2.2       Housing Vacancy Rates

The 2011 Census recorded a vacancy rate of 11.9% for the County[7].  This rate has not decreased substantially since 2006.  The national average was recorded at 14.5%.  The vacancy rate within Kilkenny City was recorded at 11.3%.  The vacancy rates within the county since 1991 are indicated Table 2.6 below.  It can be seen that before 2006 the vacancy rate ranged between 6.4 and 7.7%.  There has been a significant increase in the vacancy rate since then.

 

Table 2.6: Vacancy rates in Co. Kilkenny 1991-2011
Year	1991	1996	2002	2006	2011
Vacancy rate	7.7%	6.4%	6.6%	12%	11.9%

Source: CSO, Profile 4, The Roof Over our heads, 2011

 

2.3       Socio - Economic profile

2.3.1       Kilkenny’s Economy

Kilkenny has developed a strong profile as a services centre with companies such as State Street, VHI, Banking 365, Connect Ireland and Taxback.com.  The city also acts as an administration centre for a number of state and semi-state agencies including the regional HQ of the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Health Services Executive (HSE), the national HQ of the Patents Office, the Crafts Council of Ireland and The Heritage Council.

 

The city has a high profile nationally and internationally as a centre for tourism, festivals, heritage and the arts. County Kilkenny boasts a strong indigenous industry in sectors such as food and drink (e.g. Glanbia and artisan food producers) as well as the craft sector. Infrastructural improvements such as the completion of the telecoms Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) around Kilkenny City and the opening of the M9 motorway has increased opportunities for inward  investment.

 

2.3.2       Employment

Employment in the county has declined in the period 2006 to 2011 in line with the recession in the World and European economies. The largest fall has been in the construction sector with manufacturing also showing significant losses.

 

Table 2.7: Occupation by Industry[8]
Industry	2006	2011
Agriculture, forestry and fishing	3,247	3,011
Building and construction	6,154	2,117
Manufacturing industries	5,472	4,482
Commerce and trade	9,218	8,761
Transport and communications	1,564	1,834
Public administration	1,968	2,238
Professional services	7,268	9,042
Other	6,048	5,400
Total	40,939	36,885

 

 

2.3.3       Broadband

Between 2006 and 2011 the county showed a strong increase in broadband accessibility.  The total number of houses with a broadband connection in 2006 was 3,919 with 14,283 housing having no internet connection.  By 2011, the corresponding figures were 19,818 with a broadband connection and 8,806 with no internet connection out of a total of 33,679 households[9].  This is a broadband penetration of 58.8% compared to just 13.2% in 2006.

 

2.3.4       Travel to Work

The travel modes used by people travelling to work, school or college in the city is set out below for 2006 and 2011.

 

 

Table 2.8: Mode of travel to work, school or college in 2006 and 2011
Year	On foot	Bicycle	Bus, mini bus or coach	Train	Motorcycle or scoot- er	Car driver	Car passenger	Other	Not stated	Total
2006	3513	568	527	52	64	5915	2542	1055	326	14562
2011	3562	428	423	79	26	6,129	2,761	828	395	14,631

 

The overwhelming majority use the private car as a means of transport with 58% of the total numbers travelling using the car either as a passenger or as driver in 2006, and this had increased to 61.3% in 2011.  

 

2.3.5       Unemployment

Unemployment in the county has increased significantly since the adoption of the last plan.  This has been due to the very severe economic downturn that has affected the economy.  The unemployment rates are as follows:

 

Table 2.9   Unemployment rates in County Kilkenny
Year	Unemployed Persons	% Rate
2006	3,233	7.5%
2011	8,992	19.4%

Source: CSO, This is Ireland Table 2A, 2011

 

The labour force within the County in 2006 was 43,042 and this had increased to 46,265 in 2011[10].

 

2.4       Physical Development Trends

It is notable that Kilkenny City is performing well as a Hub for the region, with its population expanding at a rate slightly above the national average. Development of new housing has been limited with very limited housing activity in new housing developments in the city and environs.

Physical infrastructure has been delivered and improved during the 2008 – 2014 plan period, including:

 

·         the extension of the ring road around Kilkenny City from the Carlow Road to the Athy/Castlecomer road (N77),

·         the opening of the M9 motorway and link road to the city,

·         The Central Access Scheme for the city has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and it is anticipated that that scheme will be constructed during the life-time of the plan.

·         The completion of the Watershed sports and leisure complex.

·         The cessation of brewing activity at Diageo (Smithwick’s brewery) in the city centre.

 

A substantial investment in tourism development has been approved through the development of the Medieval Mile project which will see investment in the public realm between Kilkenny Castle and St Canice’s Cathedral, the restoration of St Mary’s hall, the construction of a new Butler Gallery at Evan’s Home and the further development of the linear walk along the River Nore with the creation of a great garden in the city centre.

 

Continued progress has taken place in the provision of services through the Water Services Investment programme. This investment is set to continue through the 2014 to 2020 development plan with the improvement of the Purcellsinch waste water treatment plant and the provision of additional water supplies for the city.

 

2.5       Key issues for Plan

The key issues to be addressed in this Plan are as follows:

«  Economic recovery; positioning of the city and county to avail of any economic upturn

«  Underpinning the settlement strategy for the city and compliance with the requirements of the Regional Planning Guidelines through the core strategy.

«  Framework for development of Smithwick’s site

Continued protection of the natural and built heritage