In its end of year statement published today, Monday 22nd December 2008, the Western Development Commission (WDC) has said that the Western Region should be positioned as an International Energy Centre, serving the energy needs of the entire island of Ireland and beyond.

Gillian Buckley CEO said; “This year, the WDC identified the potential of The Western Region’s natural resources of ocean, wind, and wood energy. Our research shows that these sectors present enormous opportunities. If the Western Region’s renewable energy resources are developed to their full potential it would provide the country with security of energy supply. This would be a complete turnaround of the current situation where Ireland has, at 90%, one of the highest dependencies on imported fossil fuel.”

She added, “The Western Region has unique advantages because of its coastal location, and these natural resources and advantages cannot be replicated by other regions in Ireland. This is one of the aspects that makes the Western Region unique, and one that the region should capitalise on for its own and the nation’s benefit.”

The WDC has also called for public and private investment in order to position the region to exploit its distinctiveness and natural advantages. It says that as well as generating renewable energy, the region can also develop and manufacture the technologies to harness the energy. This will create employment opportunities to counteract the recent decline in all sectors, especially construction and manufacturing.

Ms Buckley explained that Ireland has the second best wind resource in Europe and most of the best wind power sites are located in the western counties. She said that the wave and tidal energy off the west coast has the potential to position Ireland as an exporter of energy, while wood biomass also offers significant opportunities as the region has 40% of the country’s afforestated lands.

She added, “The WDC has developed a regional strategy to develop the wood biomass sector which we will implement in partnership with state and private partners in 2009. Developing this sector will lead to the creation of 900 jobs, the vast majority of them in rural areas. It will reduce CO2 emissions by over 600,000 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 92,000 cars off our roads. Developing the strategy is a good example of the WDC’s collaborative approach to coordinated regional development.”

Balanced Regional Development

Ms Buckley said, “Our conference on Balanced Regional Development in May highlighted the issues involved in delivering balanced regional development with senior policy makers, academics, and business and regional leaders. The conference heard that the Western Region not only has the potential to contribute to the national economy in line with Government policy as set out in the National Spatial Strategy and the National Development Plan, but that with the right investment the region can become one of the leading regions in the world with high quality employment opportunities. The WDC also points out that, among OECD counties, regions, similar to the Western Region, are now recognised as focal points for economic development.

Need for sustained western regional focus

The original rationale for the establishment of the WDC in 1997 was the intense public pressure and concern at the long period of economic and social decline in the western counties. Ms Buckley said that despite the solid progress in the region over the last ten years, the disparity between the Western Region and other regions continue to exist, and sustained focus on the region remains a requirement.

“We conducted research early in 2008 that showed that 43% of people surveyed in the Greater Dublin Area believe that the economic gap between East and West had widened in the past five years, so our work is as important now as it was when we were established.”

“There is no doubt that we are now operating in a difficult economic environment. CSO figures for the Western Region show a 65% increase in the number of people on the live register in the 12 month period to November 2008. Traditionally, the construction sector has been more important to employment in the Western Region than in the rest of the State, so its

decline presents a significant challenge particularly for rural areas. Now, more than ever, our work in promoting economic and social development is needed,” she added.

She also stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure, and says that such investment will facilitate the movement of people and goods which is essential to support jobs and enterprise. It would also have major positive implications for the cost competitiveness of the Western Region, helping to ensure that the viability of enterprises currently located in the region, whilst also enhancing its attractiveness to inward investment.

Seed capital for early stage high growth companies

Ms Buckley said that the WDC Investment Fund continues to fulfil a distinctive role in funding businesses, community initiatives and ‘flagship’ projects in the region by providing seed and venture capital or loans to sustainable projects which are experiencing a funding gap.

“We seek a financial return on our investments, together with a social dividend such as enhancing quality of life and providing employment. Risk capital funding is essential if we are to develop knowledge economy enterprises in the Western Region. To date the WDC Investment Fund has supported 80 enterprises which employ over 1,200 people in the region and it remains a vital source of capital for early stage, high growth potential companies,” Ms Buckley added.

Creative Sector

“Other unique factors of the Western Region include our landscape, quality of life and our heritage. These give us a competitive advantage to position the West as a Creative Region which will attract top talent, drive innovation and enterprise in the wider economy and support tourism. We are devising a strategy for the region’s creative economy in conjunction with regional businesses and a highlevel industry advisory group. Enterprises in the creative economy sector include architecture, art, crafts, design, film, software, music, performing arts, television and radio. Our research shows that there are already 4,700 enterprises in the creative sector directly employing over 11,000 people in the Western Region. The strategy is very timely as 2009 is the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.”

LookWest.ie

2008 has been the busiest year yet for the LookWest.ie campaign, which forms part of the WDC’s work to attract enterprises and individuals to the region. From January to December, almost 150,000 people have visited the website for information to help them make their decision to move west. This is a 15% increase on 2007 figures.

“An important element to the success of this year’s campaign was the WDC working in partnership with the region’s local authorities to communicate the benefits and advantages of

the region, not just for individuals to move here for employment opportunities, but, even more

importantly for business owners to see the region as a really attractive location for business,”

Ms Buckley concluded.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Gillian Buckley, Western Development Commission, 087 223 6982 or Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217

Ba chóir go mbeadh Réigiún an Iarthair ina Ionad Fuinnimh Idirnáisiúnta agus ag freastal ar riachtanais fhuinnimh oileán iomlán na hÉireann Gá le hinfheistíocht leanúnach in infrastruchtúr chun tacú le fostaíocht agus le fiontar Cuideoidh Forbairt Réigiúnach Chothromaithe leis an ngeilleagar náisiúnta

Ina ráiteas deireadh na bliana a foilsíodh inniu, Dé Luain 22ú Nollaig 2008, deir Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) gur chóir go mbeadh Réigiún an Iarthair mar Ionad Fuinnimh Idirnáisiúnta a bheadh in ann freastal ar riachtanais fhuinnimh oileán iomlán na hÉireann agus níos faide.

Deir Gillian Buckley CEO gur aithin an WDC i mbliana an poitéinseal atá ann d’acmhainní nádúrtha Réigiún an Iarthair, fuinneamh na mara, na gaoithe agus fuinneamh adhmaid. Deir sí gur léirigh an taighde atá déanta go soláthraíonn na hearnálacha sin deiseanna iontacha. Deir sí dá ndéanfaí acmhainní fuinnimh inathnuaite Réigiún an Iarthair a fhorbairt an méid agus is féidir go mbeadh soláthar fuinnimh cinnte ag an tír. Athrú iomlán scéala a bheadh anseo ar an gcás reatha agus Éire ar cheann de na tíortha is mó a bhíonn ag brath faoi láthair ar bhreosla iontaise iompórtáilte 90%.

Deir sí freisin go bhfuil buntáistí ar leith ag Réigiún an Iarthair toisc é a bheith suite ar an gcósta agus nach bhfuil na hacmhainní nádúrtha agus na buntáistí sin sna réigiúin eile in Éirinn. Sin ceann de na gnéithe a chuireann Réigiún an Iarthair chun tosaigh, agus ba chóir don réigiún leas a bhaint as ar mhaithe leis an réigiún féin agus an náisiún iomlán freisin.

Tá an WDC tar éis infheistíocht phoiblí agus phríobháideach araon a lorg chun go mbeidh ar chumas an réigiúin leas a bhaint as na buntáistí uathúla nádúrtha atá ann. Deir an WDC go bhféadfaidh an réigiún na teicneolaíochtaí chun leas a bhaint as an bhfuinneamh a fhorbairt agus a mhonarú sa bhreis ar an bhfuinneamh inathnuaite féin a chruthú. Cruthóidh sé sin

deiseanna fostaíochta chun dul i ngleic leis an laghdú le déanaí i ngach earnáil, go háirithe san earnáil tógála agus déantúsaíochta.

Mhínigh Buckley Uasal go bhfuil Éire ar an dara tír is fearr san Eoraip a bhfuil acmhainn fuinnimh gaoithe ann agus go bhfuil formhór na suímh chumhachta gaoithe is fearr suite sna contaetha san iarthar. Deir sí go bhfuil an poitéinseal ag fuinneamh na dtonn agus na mara amach ó chósta an iarthair Éire a chruthú mar easpórtálaí fuinnimh agus go soláthraíonn an bhithmhais adhmaid deiseanna suntasacha freisin toisc go bhfuil 40% de thalamh foraoise na tíre sa réigiún.

Deir sí freisin go bhfuil straitéis réigiúnach forbartha ag an WDC chun an earnáil bithmhaise adhmaid a fhorbairt agus go bhfuil sé i gceist ag an WDC an straitéis a fheidhmiú i gcomhar le comhpháirtithe stáit agus príobháideacha i 2009. Cruthófar 900 jab má dhéantar an earnáil sin a fhorbairt, agus beidh formhór acu sin i gceantair thuaithe. Beidh laghdú 600,000 tonna ar astuithe CO2 agus is ionann sin agus 92,000 carr a bhaint de na bóithre. Is sampla maith é forbairt na straitéise sin de chur chuige comhoibritheach WDC maidir le forbairt réigiúnach chomhordaithe.

Forbairt Réigiúnach Chothromaithe

Deir Buckley Uasal gur léirigh comhdháil an WDC ar Fhorbairt Réigiúnach Chothromaithe i mí na Bealtaine do dhéantóirí polasaí sinsearacha, lucht acadúla agus ceannairí gnó agus réigiúnacha na saincheisteanna atá i gceist chun forbairt réigiúnach chothromaithe a sheachadadh. Chualathas ag an gcomhdháil go bhfuil an poitéinseal ag Réigiún an Iarthair cur leis an ngeilleagar náisiúnta agus tá sé sin ag teacht le polasaí an Rialtais mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis Spáis Náisiúnta agus sa Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus sa bhreis air sin dá ndéanfaí an infheistíocht cheart go bhféadfaí an réigiún a fhorbairt mar cheann de na réigiúin is mó a bheadh chun cinn ar domhan le deiseanna fostaíochta ardcháilíochta. Deir an WDC freisin, i measc tíortha OECD, go bhfuil réigiúin, anchosúil le Réigiún an Iarthair, aitheanta anois mar lárionaid d’fhorbairt eacnamaíoch.

Gá le fócas leanúnach ar réigiún an iarthair

Ba é an fáth a bunaíodh an WDC an chéad lá riamh sa bhliain 1997 ná toisc go raibh brú poiblí agus imní ollmhór ann maidir leis an tréimhse fhada de mhaolú eacnamaíoch agus sóisialta i gcontaetha an iarthair. Deir Buckley Uasal cé go bhfuil dul chun cinn leanúnach déanta sa réigiún le deich mbliana anuas go leanann an éagothromaíocht idir Réigiún an Iarthair agus réigiúin eile i gcónaí agus go bhfuil fócas leanúnach ar an réigiún riachtanach i gcónaí.

Deir sí go ndearna an WDC taighde go luath sa bhliain 2008 a léirigh gur chreid 43% de na daoine a ghlac páirt i suirbhé as Mórcheantar Bhaile Átha Cliath gur amhlaidh gur leathnaigh

an bearna eacnamaíochta idir an tOirthear agus an tIarthar le cúig bliana anuas, agus mar sin go bhfuil obair an WDC chomh tábhachtach céanna anois agus a bhí nuair a bunaíodh é.

Tá an WDC ag obair i dtimpeallacht eacnamaíoch atá fíordheacair i láthair na huaire. Léiríonn figiúirí ón bPríomhOifig Staidrimh maidir le Réigiún an Iarthair go bhfuil ardú 65% ar an líon daoine dífhostaithe sa tréimhse 12 mí go dtí mí na Samhna 2008. Riamh anall, bhí an earnáil tógála níos tábhachtaí ó thaobh fostaíochta i Réigiún an Iarthair ná sa chuid eile den Stát, agus mar sin is amhlaidh go gcruthaíonn an meath san earnáil sin dúshlán ollmhór, go háirithe maidir le ceantair thuaithe. Deir sí go bhfuil obair an WDC níos tábhachtaí anois ná riamh cheana ó thaobh forbairt eacnamaíoch agus shóisialta a chur chun cinn.

Chuir sise béim freisin ar an ngá atá le hinfheistíocht leanúnach in infrastruchtúr, agus deir sí go néascóidh infheistíocht den sórt sin chun daoine agus earraí a bhogadh, rud atá riachtanach chun tacú le poist agus le fiontar. Bheadh impleachtaí dearfacha ollmhóra freisin aige ar éifeachtacht ó thaobh costais Réigiún an Iarthair agus chuideodh sin lena chinntiú go mairfeadh na fiontair atá lonnaithe faoi láthair sa réigiún agus go mbeadh feabhas ar tharraingteacht an réigiúin chun infheistíocht a mhealladh isteach.

Síolchaipitil do chuideachtaí ardfháis luathchéime

Deir Buckley Uasal go leanann Ciste Infheistíochta an WDC ag comhlíonadh sainról, ag maoiniú gnólachtaí, tionscnaimh pobail agus tionscadail ‘suaitheanta’ sa réigiún trí shíolchaipitil agus caipiteal fiontair nó iasachtaí a sholáthar do thionscadail inbhuanaithe a bhfuil deacrachtaí maoinithe acu i láthair na huaire.

Deir sí go mbítear ag lorg aischur airgeadais ar a gcuid infheistíochtaí go léir mar aon le díbhinn shóisialta, mar shampla caighdeán saol a fheabhsú agus fostaíocht a sholáthar. Tá maoiniú caipitil riosca riachtanach má táthar chun fiontair geilleagair faisnéise a fhorbairt i Réigiún an Iarthair. Go dtí seo, thacaigh Ciste Infheistíochta an WDC le 80 fiontar ina bhfuil os cionn 1,200 duine fostaithe sa réigiún agus tá sé fós mar fhoinse riachtanach caipitil do chuideachtaí luathchéime ardfháis.

Earnáil Chruthaitheach

Tá ár dtírdhreach, an caighdeán saoil ann agus ár noidhreacht mar fhachtóirí ar leith de chuid Réigiún an Iarthair. Is amhlaidh go dtugann siad buntáiste iomaíoch chun an tIarthar a bhunú mar Réigiún Cruthaitheach chun tallann den scoth a mhealladh, nuálacht agus fiontar sa gheilleagar níos leithne a chruthú agus tacú le turasóireacht. Tá an WDC ag cur straitéis le chéile do gheilleagar cruthaitheach an réigiúin i gcomhar le gnólachtaí réigiúnacha agus grúpa comhairleach tionscail ardleibhéil. Áirítear ar na fiontair san earnáil geilleagair chruthaitheach, ailtireacht, ealaín, ceirdeanna, dearadh, scannán, bogearraí, ceol, na healaíona taibhiúcháin, teilifís agus raidió. Léiríonn taighde an WDC go bhfuil 4,700 fiontar san earnáil chruthaitheach cheana féin agus go bhfuil os cionn 11,000 duine fostaithe ann i

Réigiún an Iarthair. Tá an straitéis antráthúil toisc gurb í 2009 Bliain na hEorpa do Chruthaitheacht agus Nuálacht.

LookWest.ie

Bhí 2008 ar an mbliain ba ghnóthaí fós don fheachtas LookWest.ie, feachtas atá mar chuid d’obair an WDC chun fiontair agus daoine aonair a mhealladh chuig an réigiún. Ó mhí Eanáir go dtí mí na Nollag, thug beagnach 150,000 duine cuairt ar an láithreán gréasáin agus iad ag cuardach eolais chun cuidiú leo a nintinn a dhéanamh suas bogadh go dtí an iarthar. Sin ardú 15% ar fhigiúirí 2007.

Deir Buckley Uasal ar deireadh gur gné thábhachtach de mar a d’éirigh le feachtas na bliana seo an WDC a bheith ag obair i gcomhar le húdaráis áitiúla an réigiúin chun buntáistí agus sochair an réigiúin a chur in iúl, ní hamháin do dhaoine aonair chun bogadh anseo ar mhaithe le deiseanna fostaíochta, ach níos tábhachtaí fós d’úinéirí gnó chun an réigiún a fheiceáil mar áit mhealltach do ghnó.

WDC invites entrepreneurs and community development organisations to workshop

The Western Development Commission (WDC) will host a wood energy workshop for entrepreneurs, business people and organisations working in community and local development on December 3rd in the Claregalway Hotel.

The workshop will discuss wood energy enterprise opportunities and the main factors affecting the development of the sector, and present the findings of two related projects which the WDC has just completed.

“The workshop will be of interest to local communities, LEADER companies, cooperatives and local authorities to learn how they can exploit the opportunities and benefit from the sector, while entrepreneurs and businesspeople can also hear successful examples of new wood energy businesses and learn about the role of public agencies,” said Gillian Buckley, WDC Chief Executive.

“If the Western Region develops a vibrant wood energy sector it will help stimulate rural development and create jobs, so the timing of the workshop is opportune. The region’s employment structure is vulnerable; there has been a 59% increase in the Live Register in the past 12 months; and the increase for males has been higher at 72%. The region’s wood resources present new enterprise and job opportunities,” she added.

Ian Brannigan, Development Manager at the WDC said,”The workshop is part of our work to develop the renewable energy sector. This is an area that plays to the region’s natural strengths. Our research estimates that, by 2020, using wood to produce heat energy could be worth an additional €15 million per annum to the economy, create up to 900 additional jobs in rural areas and provide €1.7 million each year to the West’s farming sector. Additionally the estimated CO2 emissions saved annually would equate to taking over 92,000 cars off our roads.”

The wood energy market in Ireland is relatively underdeveloped compared to international levels. However the Western Region has a huge opportunity to exploit the renewable resource as it has 40% of Ireland’s wood resources. The West could develop an indigenous, sustainable, renewable energy resource delivering 11% of the regions’ heat needs by 2020.

Bernadette Phelan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC said, “Previous research that we conducted found that, by 2020 the Western Region has the potential to supply over 470,000 tonnes of wood fuel each year, enough to heat more than 800 medium to large scale heat users such as hospitals, hotels, swimming pools, care homes and large office blocks. The workshop will present the findings of work that the WDC has conducted in partnership with Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta. We will also launch two information booklets at the workshop; Wood Energy and Community Enterprise: A Guide and Wood Energy and Local Authorities: Donegal Case Study.”

Teagasc, the Irish Bioenergy Association, the National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will exhibit at the workshop and their staff will be available to deal with queries.

Attendance is free of charge but places are limited so people should contact Mary Keaveney at 094 986 1441 marykeaveney@wdc.ie by November 27th.

Deiseanna fiontraíochta san earnáil fuinneamh adhmaid

- Tugann an WDC cuireadh do fhiontraithe agus d’eagraíochtaí forbartha pobail teacht chuig ceardlann

 Beidh Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) ina óstach ar cheardlann fuinneamh adhmaid do fhiontraithe, don phobal gnó agus d’eagraíochtaí a oibríonn i bhforbairt pobail agus áitiúil a bheidh ar siúl sa Claregalway Hotel ar an 3 Nollaig.

 Ag an gceardlann déanfar plé ar dheiseanna fiontraíochta a bhaineann le fuinneamh adhmaid agus ar na fachtóirí príomhúla a théann i gcion ar fhorbairt na hearnála seo, agus cuirfear i láthair torthaí dhá thionscadal ghaolmhara a chríochnaigh an WDC le deireanas.

 ”Beidh spéis ag pobail áitiúla, cuideachtaí LEADER, comharchumainn agus údaráis áitiúla sa cheardlann, mar tabharfaidh sí deis dóibh foghlaim faoi conas is féidir leo leas a bhaint as na deiseanna agus tairbhe a bhaint as an earnáil. Lena chois sin, cloisfidh fiontraithe agus an pobal gnó faoi ghnóthaí nua rathúla a oibríonn sa réimse fuinneamh adhmaid agus foghlaimeoidh siad faoi ról na ngníomhaireachtaí poiblí,” arsa Gillian Buckley, Príomhfheidhmeannach an WDC.

 Dúirt sí freisin, “Má fhorbraítear earnáil fuinneamh adhmaid bheogach i Réigiún an Iarthair, cabhróidh sé le forbairt tuaithe a spreagadh agus le poist a chruthú, agus mar sin tá an cheardlann seo thar a bheith tráthúil. Tá struchtúr fostaíochta an réigiúin leochaileach; tháinig méadú 59% ar líon na ndaoine ar an mBeo-Chlár le 12 mhí anuas; bhí méadú níos mó de 72% i gceist i measc fear. Cuireann acmhainní adhmaid an réigiúin deiseanna nua fiontraíochta agus fostaíochta ar fáil.”

 Dúirt Ian Brannigan, Bainisteoir Forbartha leis an WDC, “Tá an cheardlann seo ina cuid dár gcuid oibre chun earnáil an fhuinnimh in athnuaite a fhorbairt. Is réimse é seo a oireann do láidreachtaí nádúrtha an réigiúin. Dá n-úsáidfí adhmad chun fuinneamh teasa a ghiniúint, measann ár dtaighde go mbeadh €15 mhilliún breise in aghaidh na bliana i gceist don gheilleagar, go bhféadfaí suas le 900 post breise a chruthú i gceantair tuaithe agus go bhféadfaí €1.7 milliún a sholáthar d’earnáil talmhaíochta an Iarthair gach bliain faoin mbliain 2020. Lena chois sin, bheadh na hastuithe CO2 measta a shábhálfaí in aghaidh na bliana cothrom le níos mó ná 92,000 gluaisteán a bhaint de na bóithre.”

 Tá margadh an fhuinnimh adhmaid in Éireann neamhfhorbartha i gcomparáid le leibhéil idirnáisiúnta. Mar sin féin, tá deis iontach ag Réigiún an Iarthair an acmhainn in-athnuaite a shaothrú mar tá 40% d’acmhainní adhmaid na hÉireann sa réigiún sin. D’fhéadfadh Réigiún an Iarthair acmhainn fuinnimh dhúchasach, inbhuanaithe, in-athnuaite a fhorbairt a sholáthródh 11% de riachtanais teasa an réigiúin faoi 2020.

 Dúirt Bernadette Phelan, Feidhmeannach Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC, “Léiríonn taighde a rinneamar roimhe seo go bhfuil ar chumas Réigiún an Iarthair níos mó ná 470,000 tonna de bhreosla adhmaid a sholáthar gach bliain faoi 2020, méid breosla atá mór go leor le teas a sholáthar do 800 úsáideoir teasa ar an meánscála agus ar an mórscála cosúil le hospidéil, óstáin, linnte snámha, bailte cúraim agus ceapa móra oifigí. Ag an gceardlann cuirfear i láthair torthaí na hoibre atá déanta ag an WDC i gcomhpháirtíocht le Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus Údarás na Gaeltachta. Seolfaimid dhá leabhrán eolais ag an gceardlann freisin: Wood Energy and Community Enterprise: A Guide agus Wood Energy and Local Authorities: Donegal Case Study.”

 Beidh taispeántais ag Teagasc, Cumann Bithfhuinnimh na hÉireann, an Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Thaighde agus Forbairt Foraoise (COFORD) agus Fuinneamh Inmharthana Éireann (SEI) ag an gceardlann agus beidh baill foirne dá gcuid ann chun déileáil le fiosrúcháin.

 Tá cead isteach saor in aisce, ach tá líon teoranta spásanna ar fáil; mar sin, ba chóir do dhaoine teagmháil a dhéanamh le Mary Keaveney ar 094 986 1441 marykeaveney@wdc.ie faoin 27 Samhain.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) outlined its future vision for the Western Region to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on Wednesday November 19th. The WDC highlighted the success of the LookWest.ie campaign which has enabled over 100 businesses and 4,000 individuals to register their interest in relocating to the region.

Ms. Buckley also outlined a vision for the Western Region’s future as:

• A region with a world class infrastructure
• A region that exploits its distinctiveness and natural advantages
• A region that maintains its sense of community, heritage and environment
• A region that encourages creativity and entrepreneurship

Identifying the original rationale for the establishment of the WDC in 1997, as the intense public pressure and concern at the long period of economic and social decline in the western counties, Ms Buckley said that despite solid the progress in the region over the last ten years, the disparity between the west and other regions continued to exist, and sustained focus on the region was required.

Ms Buckley also acknowledged the considerable challenges facing the region, particularly the vulnerability of its employment structure, and the broadband and transport deficits. However, building on the progress that has been made and on the region’s natural resources, the WDC believes that the western region offers huge potential to contribute to national growth and recovery, particularly through the exploitation of renewable energies such as wind, wave and biomass – areas on which the WDC are currently working.

Said Ms Buckley, “The challenge, now more than ever, is to continue investing in sustainable entrepreneurship in the region. To date the Western Investment Fund has invested €30.8 m in 78 enterprises in the region contributing to creating and sustaining over 1,200 jobs in the region and the Fund remains a vital source of seed capital for early stage high growth potential companies in the Western Region.”

Ends

Rinne Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) cur síos ar a fhís do thodhchaí Réigiún an Iarthair os comhair an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais um Ealaíona, Spóirt, agus Turasóireacht, agus um Ghnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta ar Dé Céadaoin, an 19 Samhain. Leag an WDC béim ar rath an fheachtais LookWest.ie, a chuir ar chumas níos mó ná 100 gnó agus 4,000 duine a chlárú go raibh spéis acu i mbogadh go dtí an réigiún.

Rinne Ms. Buckley cur síos freisin ar fhís do thodhchaí Réigiún an Iarthair mar:

• Réigiún le bonneagar den chéad scoth
• Réigiún a bhainfidh leas as a shainiúlacht agus as a bhuntáistí nádúrtha
• Réigiún a choinneoidh a bhraistint phobail, oidhreachta agus timpeallachta
• Réigiún a spreagfaidh cruthaitheacht agus fiontraíocht.

Thug Ms. Buckley aitheantas don réasúnaíocht bhunaidh taobh thiar de bhunú an WDC i 1997, is é sin, brú mór ón bpobal agus imní faoin tréimhse fhada de mheath eacnamaíoch agus sóisialta i gcontaetha an iarthair, agus dúirt sí, in ainneoin an dul chun cinn maith a rinneadh sa réigiún le deich mbliana anuas, go bhfuil éagothroime fós ann idir réigiún an iarthair agus réigiúin eile, agus go mbeidh sé riachtanach fócas leanúnach a choinneáil ar an réigiún.

Luaigh Ms. Buckley na dúshláin shuntasacha a bheidh le sárú ag an réigiún freisin, go háirithe leochaileacht a struchtúir fostaíochta agus na heasnaimh leathanbhanda agus iompair. Mar sin féin, trí chur leis an dul chun cinn atá déanta go dtí seo agus trí leas a bhaint as acmhainní nádúrtha an réigiúin, creideann an WDC go bhfuil ar chumas réigiún an iarthair cuidiú go mór le fás agus athshlánú náisiúnta, go háirithe trí fhuinnimh inathnuaite cosúil le gaoth, tonn agus bithmhais a shaothrú – réimsí ina bhfuil obair ar siúl ag an WDC i láthair na huaire.

Dúirt Ms. Buckley, “An dúshlán is mó atá ann anois ná leanúint ar aghaidh ag déanamh infheistíochta i bhfiontraíocht inbhuanaithe sa réigiún. Go dtí seo, tá €30.8m infheistithe ag Ciste Infheistíochta an Iarthair i 78 fiontar sa réigiún, a chabhraigh le níos mó ná 1,200 post a chruthú agus a chothabháil sa réigiún, agus tá an Ciste fós mar fhoinse ríthábhachtach de shíolchaipiteal do chuideachtaí i Réigiún an Iarthair ag céim luath agus le cumas mór fáis.”

Críoch

The Western Development Commission’s (WDC) LookWest.ie website has been shortlisted in two award categories in the annual Golden Spider Awards. LookWest.ie is a central part of the WDC’s campaign to attract enterprises and individuals to the Western Region.

“LookWest.ie is now in its third year, and each year we have seen significant increases in the number of people using the website to help them plan their move to the Western Region. To date, over 400,000 people have visited the site, so being shortlisted in two categories is wonderful recognition of the important role the site plays in assisting people and businesses with their decision to move,” said Joanne Grehan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC.

The 2008 LookWest.ie campaign, run in partnership with the region’s local authorities, highlighted seven indigenous Irish companies, from SMEs to multinationals, in the Western Region whose example showed that new and expanding companies in sectors like medical devices, pharmaceuticals, designled manufacturing, and technology can start and thrive in the Western Region.

LookWest.ie provides information and highlights the benefits for both employers and employees in moving to the Western Region including the availability of a highly skilled workforce, a truly attractive business environment as well as the better quality of life, less traffic and lower cost of living.

LookWest.ie has been shortlisted in the Best Community & Charity Website and the Best eGovernment Website categories.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 20th November, in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.

The eircom Golden Spider Awards 2008 honour Irish individuals and organisations for outstanding achievements online and celebrate the successes of the Irish internet and digital media. The awards are judged by a panel of experts, comprised of leaders from industry, commerce, media and academia. The panel evaluates entries on a diverse range of judging

criteria including content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity as well as overall user experience.

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Cuireadh láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) LookWest.ie ar an ngearrliosta in dhá chatagóir duaise sna Duaiseanna bliantúla Golden Spider. Tá LookWest.ie ag croílár fheachtas an WDC chun fiontair agus daoine a mhealladh chuig Réigiún an Iarthair.

“Tá LookWest.ie ar an saol le trí bliana anois, agus gach bliain tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar líon na ndaoine a úsáideann an láithreán gréasáin chun iad a chabhrú lena gcuid pleananna chun bogadh go dtí Réigiún an Iarthair. Go dtí seo, tá sa bhreis agus 400,000 duine tar éis cuairt a thabhairt ar an láithreán. Mar sin, tá sé mar aitheantas iontach ar an ról tábhachtach a bhíonn ag an láithreán maidir le cabhrú le daoine agus le gnóthaí a bhíonn ag smaoineamh ar bhogadh a bheith ar an ngearrliosta in dhá chatagóir,” arsa Joanne Grehan, Feidhmeannach Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC.

Leag feachtas 2008 LookWest.ie a reáchtáladh i gcomhpháirtíocht le húdaráis áitiúla an réigiúin béim ar sheacht gcuideachta Éireannacha dhúchasacha, idir ghnóthaí beaga agus meánmhéide agus chuideachtaí ilnáisiúnta, atá suite i Réigiún an Iarthair. Léiríonn a dtaithí gur féidir le cuideachtaí nua agus cuideachtaí atá ag dul i méid in earnálacha cosúil le feistí míochaine, cógaisíocht, déantúsaíocht bunaithe ar dhearadh, agus teicneolaíocht iad féin a bhunú i Réigiún an Iarthair agus a ngnó a fhorbairt go rathúil ann.

Soláthraíonn LookWest.ie faisnéis agus leagann sé béim ar na tairbhí i gceist d’fhostóirí agus d’fhostaithe nuair a bhogtar go dtí Réigiún an Iarthair; ina measc siúd tá an infhaighteacht de lucht oibre ardoilte, timpeallacht ghnó anmhealltach agus cáilíocht fheabhsaithe beatha, níos lú tráchta agus costas maireachtála níos ísle.

Tá LookWest.ie ar an ngearrliosta sa chatagóir An Láithreán Gréasáin Pobail & Carthanachta is Fearr agus sa chatagóir An Láithreán Gréasáin is Fearr in earnáil RSheirbhísí an Rialtais.

Fógrófar na buaiteoirí ag an searmanas bronnta duaiseanna ar Déardaoin, an 20 Samhain, in Óstán Burlington, Baile Átha Cliath.

Tugann Duaiseanna Golden Spider 2008 eircom aitheantas do dhaoine agus eagraíochtaí Éireannacha a dhéanann sáréachtaí ar líne agus ceiliúrann siad rath mheáin Idirlín agus dhigiteacha na hÉireann. Beidh buaiteoirí na nduaiseanna roghnaithe ag painéal saineolaithe a chuimsíonn ceannairí tionscail, tráchtála, meáin chumarsáide agus daoine ón earnáil acadúil. Déanann an painéal iontrálacha a mheas i gcoinne raon leathan critéar lena náirítear inneachar, struchtúr agus nascleanúint, dearadh amhairc, feidhmiúlacht, idirghníomhaíocht agus eispéireas iomlán an úsáideora.

CrÌoch

2008 marked the third anniversary of the LookWest.ie Expo which was held in the Alexander Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin. Over 500 people attended the expo with over 30 exhibitors participating at this year’s event. Companies with current and future vacancies that exhibited included Abbott, BDO Simpson Xavier, Bank of America, Cisco, IBM, and Lionbridge Technologies.

Despite the current climate, WDC research shows there are many hundreds of jobs to be filled in the Western Region, with vacancies in areas such as engineering, financial services, hospitality, life sciences, sales and customer services. For those thinking about relocating their business or setting up a new one in the Western Region, exhibitors included support agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, County Development Boards, County Enterprise Boards, innovation centres from third level colleges and other organisations / agencies who provide enterprise support to small businesses.

A new feature of the 2008 LookWest.ie Expo was the very successful seminar on “Locating your business in the Western Region”. The seminar included presentations by the state agencies and local authorities that can help with business startup i.e. WDC, Údarás na Gaeltachta, County Enterprise Boards and a presentation by one of the Region’s companies that has availed of the various supports and is currently running a highly successful business in the West of Ireland.Hugely successful LookWest.ie Expo

‘Continued public investment in transport infrastructure will deliver for the region and sustain jobs’ WDC tells Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport’

Quality transport infrastructure critical to competitiveness and maintaining employment

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has stressed the need for continued public investment in the West’s transport infrastructure to secure competitiveness and maintain employment in western counties. The Commission was speaking after making a presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport on September 24th .

“Despite the current economic downturn, the planned investment in transport in the Western Region should not be postponed, as any delay would be a threat to the region’s competitiveness and growth,” said Dr Patricia O’Hara, Policy Manager at the WDC.

“Quality roads are critical to maintaining competitiveness and employment. We know from our research that poor roads increase costs, lower productivity, and reduce labour market mobility and flexibility. Road projects such as the Atlantic Corridor, which will run from Letterkenny to Waterford via Sligo, Tuam and Ennis are essential for the region’s competiveness and we are concerned about the fact that there are no timelines assigned to parts of that route north of Galway city,” Dr O’Hara added.

Speaking about the Western Rail Corridor, Dr O’Hara said: “We know that there is demand for improved rail services in the west. When Iarnród Éireann increased frequency and capacity on the GalwayDublin route, the number of people using it increased by 9% to 1.6 million in 2007. Passenger numbers using the rail services from Ennis to Limerick, which is part of the Western Rail Corridor, have exceeded all expectations. These examples illustrate that if you provide the services the passengers will follow.”

The Athenry to Ennis and the Galway to Athenry services are on schedule for 2009 with new stations planned at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell and Oranmore. “We understand

that in early 2009, once the Ennis to Athenry section is completed, work will begin on the Tuam to Athenry section which is due to open in 2011. The line from Tuam to Claremorris is scheduled for 2014, while the line from Claremorris to Collooney is to be preserved for future use,” Dr O’Hara added.

The WDC told the Oireachtas Committee that the Western Rail Corridor will enhance the towns on the route, nearly all of which, in the last Census showed population growth significantly above the national average. It will also be a really valuable resource for tourism in the region. The Committee was also told how the success of the section from Galway to Limerick will be critical to ensuring continued support for reinstatement of the rest of the line. A wellpromoted quality service involving short journey times, good frequency, a competitive fare structure and comfort will be required to change the habits of a generation who have never had the opportunity to use this rail service.

The WDC outlined how Irish registered goods vehicles now transport almost 315 million tonnes of goods by road an increase of 203% in ten years. However, the largest rail freight traffic movements in the country come from Mayo, where 900 trains every year transport goods to Waterford Port, removing over 16,000 truckloads off the roads and bringing major benefits to Mayo businesses. Ireland needs to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions, so consideration should be given to subsidising rail freight as is the case in many other European countries. In its presentation, the WDC cited an example in Scotland where a capital grant of £3 million for rail freight has now been credited with saving the Scottish Government £1.4 million per annum in carbon taxes and other costs. Benefits associated with rail freight include reduced carbon emissions, less road congestion and fewer injuries and loss of life.

The WDC also stressed the importance of international air access in supporting the regions’ enterprise and tourism sectors. In particular, improved road and rail links are required to provide predictable journey times and extend the airports’ catchments so that they can play their full role in economic development. For this reason, it is critical that the interurban GalwayEnnis road is completed by 2010 as promised, according to the WDC. There is also a need to improve tourism promotion, to maximise the opportunities from existing international routes into Ireland West Airport Knock.

Dr O’Hara said; “An important objective of the WDC is to advance the Government’s policy of balanced regional development by providing a regional perspective on national policy. Having the opportunity to speak directly to the Joint Oireachtas Committee was a welcome opportunity to do that.”

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96% of those who have relocated would recommend the move

The results of the fourth annual Collins McNicholas re-location survey released today (Tuesday 16th September) shows that 96% of professionals who recently relocated to the West, North West or Midlands regions would recommend such a move to others. Collins McNicholas is one of Ireland’s leading recruitment and HR consultancy companies with offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Sligo and Athlone.

MAIN FINDINGS

• Overall, 96% of respondents would recommend relocating to the regions.
• 85% of people’s work-life balance improved since they relocated.
• 86% of respondents now commute to and from work in less than 40 minutes.
• 74% of respondents received an increase or similar remuneration package when they relocated.
• 65% of respondents said lower property prices were a factor in their decision to relocate.
• 84 % of respondents were educated to Degree level or higher.
• 49% of professionals surveyed relocated from outside of Ireland.
• A more relaxed atmosphere, safer environment and less traffic were the top three attractions expressed by people surveyed subsequent to relocating.
• The four main concerns of respondents about relocating, before they moved, were employment opportunities (67%), salary expectations (55%), house prices (45%) and cost of living (42%).
• Medical Devices (17%), Pharmaceutical (16%), Manufacturing (14%) and Engineering (13%) were the most popular sectors of employment for those who relocated.

The survey was completed by professionals from different sectors including pharmaceutical, medical devices, financial services and professional services and investigated the various factors that were considered before relocating to the regions including property prices, commuting times, salary and proximity to family and friends. Whilst 38% of respondents were attracted by lower cost of living and 34% by lower property prices a further 34% stated that they were attracted to the area because of its proximity to the coast and countryside as well as the number of outdoor activities and amenities available.

Other findings of the survey include:

• Of the people surveyed 17% found jobs in the Medical Devices sector, 16% in Pharmaceutical, 14% in Manufacturing and 13% in Engineering.
• ICT employed 10% of the people surveyed and 16% in Accountancy.
• 85% of respondents stated that their work life balance had improved and more leisure time, friendlier people and an overall more relaxed atmosphere since relocating were also seen as attractions.
• Less commuting times were considered a major pull factor in the decision to relocate and the vast majority of respondents commuted to work in less than 20 minutes since relocating.
• 28% purchased property since relocating and 18% are considering it.

The recent influx of a talented workforce to the area has had a significant impact on the amount and quality of employment available in the area. Commenting on the findings of the survey, Mr Niall Murray, Regional Manager of Collins McNicholas Sligo said “The results of this survey clearly show that there is an ever growing interest amongst professionals in Ireland in relocating to the regions. The better quality of life and lower costs of living are major factors in an increasing number of people making the decision to move. Despite tougher economic times, there continues to be excellent employment opportunities available to people across the regions and we are eager to give a positive message to job seekers that many companies are continuing to hire people”.

Reinforcing the positive message was Gillian Buckley, CEO of the Western Development Commission that runs the LookWest.ie (www.lookwest.ie) campaign to attract people and enterprise to the region, “Our own research shows that there are a significant number of jobs available in the Western Region. In fact, at this year’s LookWest.ie Expo, to be held this Thursday (September 18th) in Dublin, we have more than 300 top quality jobs waiting to be filled, and that’s in spite of the current climate, as industries such as life sciences, engineering, financial services and IT continue to look for skilled, experienced staff.”

The survey, in its fourth year, looks at the motivations and experiences of a cross section of one hundred and fifty professionals who relocated to the West, North West and Midlands regions in 2008. The objective of the survey is to provide a unique insight into the motivations behind the increasing number of highly skilled professionals relocating to these regions. The survey was completed by professionals from various sectors including pharmaceutical, medical devices, financial services and professional services and investigated the various factors that were considered before relocating; including property prices, commuting times, salary and proximity to family and friends.

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For further information please contact:

Shirley Kiernan, Marketing & PR Manager, Collins McNicholas, 087 4140163 Gillian Buckley, CEO, Western Development Commission, 087 2236982

Notes to Editors: About Collins McNicholas

Collins McNicholas was established in 1990 and with five offices nationwide is one of the few longstanding Recruitment and HR Services organisations in Ireland. The company is the first recruitment organisation in Ireland to achieve ‘Excellence through People’ certification in all of their offices.

Western Development Commission (WDC)

The WDC is a statutory body promoting economic and social development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare.

The WDC’s 5 strategic aims are to:

• Contribute to balanced regional development by ensuring that the Western Region maximises its full potential for economic and social development.
• Promote the benefits of living, working and doing business in the Western Region.
• Support the sustainable economic and social development of the rural economy.
• Provide risk capital to SME’s and social enterprises.
• Operate the WDC as a competent and effective organisation.

For further information visit www.wdc.ie