1. West Regional Authority
GRISI PLUS
Presenter: Mary Molloy
Toulouse, France
February 2012

2. West Regional Authority
at a glance
Public Body set up on a statutory
basis 1st January 1994
4 Local Authorities: County
Galway; Galway City; County Mayo;
County Roscommon
Area: 13,801 sq km
Population: 444,991 (census 2011)
Characteristics: Rural with < 50%
living in the urban area
GNP per Capita: €32,234

3. West Regional Authority
at a glance
 Co-ordination of Public Services in the region
 Endorses consistency and compatibility
with the Programmes, Plans & Policies of
National Government
 Concerned with challenges which other regions of
the EU encounter
 Example: The decline in Agriculture & the lack
of Rural Diversification resulting in de-population
in rural areas of the region
 The West Region is always interested in
collaborating and exchanging experiences to
provide solutions to these challenges

4. West Regional Authority
Issues, Challenges & Rural Development
 Current economic downturn resulting in outward
migration, of mainly young people
 100,000 will leave Ireland annually
 Decline in Agriculture, Mariculture & the lack of
Rural Diversification has led to de-population in
rural areas
 Galway City is the largest population centre,
putting pressure on its rural hinterland
 Smaller towns have not grown to sufficient
population levels as there has been a preference
for single houses in the countryside

5. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
European Spatial Development Perspective 1999 European Directives; Conventions & Agreements
↓↓↓↓↓
National Spatial Strategy 2002 Other National Strategies/ Plans/ Guidelines
(e.g. National Development Plan, Policies and programmes of Government
Departments, Capital Programmes, Planning Guidelines, Urban & Village Renewal
Programmes, Serviced Land Initiative)
↓↓↓↓
Regional Planning Guidelines 2010 Other Regional/ Local Level Plans
(e.g. Capital Programmes, Regional Waste Management Plan/Strategy, River Basin
Management Plan)
↓↓↓
County, City & Town Development Plans County Development Board Strategies, Corporate Plans
(e.g. Galway City Development Plan, Roscommon County Development Plan) (e.g. Galway County Development Board Strategy)
↓↓
Local Area Plans
(e.g. Tuam Local Area Plan)
↓

6. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
 One Strategic Policy focuses on Social
Infrastructure & Community Development in
the West Region:
 The Authority will continue to promote
community development throughout the region
and foster social inclusion across Local
Authority services
 Promote the creation of a network of thriving
towns & villages
 Sets out policies to improve the quality of life
for individuals and groups in rural communities
 Will facilitate & promote the concept of “place
making”

7. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
 Another Strategic Policy emphasises the role
of Agriculture and promotion of Local
Products in the West Region:
 The Authority will promote the production of
high value foods
 Promotes Organic Farming
 Set out policies that encourage the
establishment of a network of farmers markets
most particularly in the rural towns & villages
 Promotes the diversification of products in the
West Region

8. Example of Good Practice:
Regeneration of a Small Rural Town
West Region – Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
“Against the Tide”
 1096 (2006 census of population)
 1000 (2002 census of population)
 917 (1996 census of population)

9. Aerial view of Kiltimagh

10. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh Co. Mayo
 Problems in 1988
 Unemployment & Underemployment
 Economic Stagnation
 Population Loss-75% Emigration
 Deprivation- 40% Derelict Buildings
 No Investment in Business
 Regular Business Closures
 Low Income Levels

11. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
 The Handicaps
 No Natural Tourism Products
 Poor Land
 Small farms
 Lack of Proper Infrastructure
 Little Industrial Employment
 Relative Poverty
 Few facilities & Amenities
 Derelict Townscape

12. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
 Process 1998 to date
 3 Phases:
 Set up a Corporate Structure
 Improve Streetscape & Housing
 Enterprise Development incl. An International
Trade Centre with Fibre Optic Broadband
 Training Facilities & Educational Programmes
 Create New Tourism Products e.g. Festival
Development
 New Amenities e.g. Sculpture Park
 Funding: Private, National & European

13. Festival Development

14. Sculpture Park

15. Results – “Against the Tide”
 550 extra jobs
 Growth in population - 10.7% increase
 30.2%Annual Economic Activity Increase
 €10million Community Owned Assets
 New Businesses/Services & Amenities established
 400 people trained in programmes directly provided
by IRD Kiltimagh
 30,000 people including groups from Ireland &
Europe have visited Kiltimagh in order to replicate
success
 www.ird-kiltimagh.ie

16. Thank you for listening