The recession has been hard on Thurles, as it has on many towns. The signs are everywhere. Shops have closed. People have emigrated.
The story is told in the census numbers. The population of 8,000 live in 3,200 households. There are fewer family units than the national average. Couples with children account for only a quarter of the population compared with a third for the State as whole. The number of people over 50 is ahead of the national average and there is a disproportionate number of people working in unskilled and semiskilled jobs. Unemployment is also above average.
There are some signs of improvement recently, but the people of Thurles will be hoping that tomorrow’s Budget will mark a real turning point for the economy and for them.
As part of our Budget coverage, The Irish Times went to Thurles to find out what is uppermost in their minds. We spoke to business people, teachers, professionals, pensioners and the unemployed and asked them what they wanted.
Pat Butler of Pat's Barbers, says jobs for young people are the priority. Dr Rebecca Purcell of St Patrick's teacher training college says student loans are needed. Patrick O'Dwyer, a retired plumber is worried about the cost of health insurance and the water charges.
Find out what they and the other people we met thought of the Budget and what it all meant for Thurles in a two-page special in our Budget 2015 supplement on Wednesday.
