Lack of access to transport has been identified as the main reason for social exclusion in the west Wicklow area around the Glen of Imaal, Kiltegan, Donard and Rathdangan.
Compiled by Pobal Community Development Agency with the Wicklow County Developing Board, the study found there was a need to extend the Wicklow Rural Transport service.
It found the population in the area had increased by 3.7 per cent above the national average in the period 1996-2000 and this had created a need for greater integration between local people and those who had recently moved into the area.
It said west Wicklow was impacted upon by its proximity to Dublin and experienced both the benefits and disadvantages of being part of what is known as "the urban shadow". As part of the Dublin commuter belt it had increased traffic density and higher housing costs.