A North Leitrim councillor says that building houses in villages and towns may be the best way to bring people into rural areas.
Fine Gael Councillor and election candidate Sean McDermott says there are more houses becoming empty in rural areas around villages as elderly people pass on.
But he thinks there is an opportunity for entrepreneurs and building contractors to build houses in towns and villages, where there is a demand for accommodation.
Cllr McDermott has been telling Ocean FM News what he sees happening around his own local area:
