A poll conducted by RED C for the Western Development Commission has found that 36 per cent of those living in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow would like to live in the Western region. The Western region comprises Galway, Clare, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Donegal.

The poll shows a majority of those living in the Eastern Region, 54 per cent, state that the quality of life in the Western Region was better than in the Eastern region.

Commenting on the poll's findings, Gillian Buckley, CEO of the WDC, said, "The M50 is a living testament to the need for balanced regional development that provides the benefit of improving the lives and productivity of people in Dublin while ensuring that regions like the West can also fully contribute to the economic well being of its inhabitants and Ireland Inc."

Ms Buckley also pointed out that the results, which came close to Work/Life Balance Day, showed a "fundamental shift in the way we think we will soon be working."

The survey showed that almost equal numbers of people (43 per cent) in the East and West say that it is currently possible for them to work remotely.

"Therefore I believe that those who want a better life can look to the Western Region for it. Though broadband remains a problem for us in rural areas, things are definitely improving. The Western Region currently offers a very attractive option to entrepreneurs, where traditional linkages to the capital city can be maintained as a result of significant infrastructural improvements.

"It's also interesting to note that the West is appealing to a 'younger' age group with more than 40 per cent of those under 35 who were surveyed saying they would like to move West – which is some change from a generation ago."

The poll was commissioned by the WDC to inform its policy-making role and to help make those policies more relevant to encourage balanced regional development across the country.

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