Ireland needs bigger regional cities, says ESRI

Think-tank's research says current trends will lead to increasing housing demand and more long-distance commuting

ESRI calls for more investment in cities like Cork. Pic: Getty

Research published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has warned about thecurrent pattern of economic and population growth in Ireland, saying it will further widen the prosperity gap between Dublin and the rest of the country if it continues.

The ESRI research comes as a large volume of submissionshas delayed the finalising of the Government’s National Planning Framework, which is aimed at providing a clear strategy for an expansion of the ...