TD Urges Investment Into The Social Fabric Of Arklow Amid Overdue Outlay On Jobs & Housing

Brian Brennan points to a wholly inadequate lack of facilities for the growing and burgeoning population of Arklow as he told the Dáil of a need for wider investment in public and social centres in the south Wicklow town

A Wicklow–Wexford Fine Gael TD has told the Dáil that towns such as Arklow must not be left behind as Ireland prepares for significant new rural and regional investment under the Government’s “Our Rural Future” policy.

Speaking in the chamber, Brian Brennan used Arklow as a case study, saying it has experienced long-term decline following decades of underinvestment, despite a once-strong industrial base.

He said: “Arklow was the home of IFI, it was the home of a great port, it was the home of Arklow Pottery.” However, he warned that “over 30 years due to lack of investment, it’s slowly and slowly declined.”

The TD said the town is now entering a period of major change, describing it as “on the crest of a wave” with significant development proposals including a €3.6 billion data centre project, offshore wind farms, a planned greenway, and large-scale housing delivery.

But he cautioned that economic growth alone is not enough without corresponding investment in community facilities.

He said Arklow currently lacks basic social infrastructure, stating: “That town has no theatre. If you want a concert in Arklow tonight, you either go to the hotel, you go to a church, or you go to the school.”

He also highlighted the absence of a purpose-built community centre and a town park, despite Arklow’s population size.

“It has no community centre,” he told the Dáil, adding that in contrast, he had visited “tiny villages in Wexford and Wicklow” that already have modern community facilities.

Brian Brennan Fine Gael T.D. Wicklow Wexford 

The TD said there is a building in Arklow that could potentially be developed for community use but requires investment and political will.

He also raised concerns about civic identity and amenities, noting the absence of a town park despite Arklow’s cultural and sporting heritage, referencing notable figures such as Olympic champion Ronnie Delaney and long-distance runner Mary Hickey, both born in the town.

He argued that infrastructure planning must go beyond roads and bridges.

“What we need to see is an investment in the social infrastructure in that town,” he said, stressing that capital projects must be matched with community facilities to support future growth.

The TD added that Arklow is not an isolated example, saying: “There’s plenty of ''Arklows'' out there that have been ignored for decades.”