Request for Sumbissions
Official Languages Act 2003
Preparation of a Second Draft Scheme by
Western Development Commission (WDC)

The WDC propose to draft a scheme in accordance with Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003. The primary objective of the Act is to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish.

The WDC now wishes to invite representations in relation to the preparation of the draft scheme from any interested parties. Submissions should ideally not exceed 4,000 words (c.8pages.) . Ideally submissions, which will be made available on the Department’s website, should be forwarded electronically to carolinecoffey@wdc.ie or alternatively they may be posted to:

Caroline Coffey
Corporate Services
Western Development Commission
Dillon House
Ballaghaderreen
Co. Roscommon

Information in relation to the WDc is available at www.wdc.ie

The latest date for receipt of representations is 5pm on Monday 12th April 2010.

Further information in relation to the Act is available on the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs website www.pobail.ie

Aighneachtaí á lorg
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003
An Dara Dréacht-Scéim á Hullmhú ag an
Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (CFI)

Tá i gceist ag CFI an dara dréacht scéim a dhreáchtadh de réir Alt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Is é bun-chuspóir an Achta ná a chinntiú go mbeadh fail nios mó are sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeadh said ar chaighdeán níos airdre.

Ta aighneachtaí maidir le hullmhú na dréacht-scéime á lorg ag CFI anois ó aon pháirtithe leasmhara. Ba chóír nach rachadh na haighneachtaí sin thar 4,000 focal (c.8 leathanach). Ba chóir freisin, go hinmhianaither, aighneachtaí, a bheidh ar fáil go poiblí ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne, a sheoladh isteach go leictreonach chuig carolinecoffey@wdc.ie

Ina ionad sin is féidir iad a sheoladh leis an bpost chuig:

Caroline Coffey
Teach Dillon,
Bealach an Doirín,
Co Ros Comáin

Tá eolas maidir le mandáid agus an ról/na sierbhísí arna soláthar don phobal ag CFI ar fáil ar www.wdc.ie.

Is é an dáta deireanach d’aighneachtaí a bheith faighte ná 5.00pm are 12 Aibreán, 2010.

Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin Acht ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta www.pobail.ie.

- WDC figures show strong demand for rail services to continue to Tuam and Claremorris

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has described this month’s new rail service connecting Galway and Limerick as an important step towards balanced regional development. The new service, serving Limerick, Sixmilebridge, Ennis, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Athenry and Galway will help develop and promote economic development. It will also be a welcome boost to the tourism sector for towns along the route and the surrounding areas following a very difficult year for tourism in 2009.

Speaking about the new service Lisa McAllister Chief Executive at the WDC said; “The WDC would like to congratulate Iarnród Éireann and the many stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to reinstate the line and introduce the new services. The new route follows the rebuilding of the Ennis to Athenry line after a gap of over 30 years since the last scheduled services. This type of infrastructural development is exactly what the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) envisaged in terms of sustainable public transport linking key centres so that they can further develop economically.”

Deirdre Frost, Policy Analyst at the WDC said: “We welcome this new service and hope that the next phase from Athenry to Tuam and on to Claremorris will not be mothballed despite the current economic difficulties. The 2009 WDC report, ‘Travel to Work and Labour Catchments in the Western Region’, identified important transport patterns which show strong demand for rail services north of Galway city. This supports the case for the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) to be continued on to Tuam and Claremorris as soon as possible, as the report found that the number of people commuting to Galway city from the north of the county, for example from the Tuam labour catchment, is actually greater than the number commuting to Galway city from the south; the Gort labour catchment. This shows that there will be significant demand for public transport services into the city from the north of the county and, in our opinion, strengthens the case for the next stage of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Tuam and on to Claremorris considerably.”

The Galway – Limerick service will commence with five services each way daily (Monday to Saturday), and four services each way on Sundays. The WDC believes that the new service will see strong passenger take-up that will reduce many car based journeys.

“We are also confident that Iarnród Éireann will promote both commuter and intercity services and we would hope that new rolling stock will be ordered to serve the intercity services on the line. The new service opens up the rail network in the West and South of the country, linking Galway and Limerick, and towns along the route, with Cork and Waterford as well as Mallow, Tralee and Killarney,” Ms Frost added,

The new service will be officially launched on Monday 29th March and will commence services to the public on Tuesday 30th March.

On rail freight, the WDC believes that the expansion of rail freight services from Mayo, with new services introduced in 2009 from Ballina, also strengthens the case for the extension of the WRC northwards to Tuam and Claremorris and onwards to Sligo. “We believe that this will open up new rail freight routes southwards via Ennis and Limerick to ports in Waterford and Rosslare and will enable freight users to avoid the increasingly congested rail network around Dublin,” Ms Frost concluded.

Spreagfaidh an tSeirbhís nua Iarnróid idir Gaillimh agus Luimneach Forbairt Réigiúnach agus Turasóireacht – WDC

 - Léiríonn figiúirí an WDC go bhfuil éileamh mór ar sheirbhísí iarnróid go Tuaim agus go Clár Chlainne Mhuiris

 De réir Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC), is céim thábhachtach chun cinn maidir le forbairt chothrom réigiúnach a bhaint amach í an tseirbhís nua iarnróid a osclófar an mhí seo, agus a nascfaidh Gaillimh le Luimneach. Freastalóidh an tseirbhís nua ar Luimneach, Droichead Abhann Ó gCearnaigh, Inis, an Gort, Ard Raithin, Creachmhaoil, Baile Átha an Rí agus Gaillimh, agus cabhróidh sí le forbairt eacnamaíoch a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn. Spreagfaidh sí turasóireacht sna bailte ar feadh an bhealaigh agus sna ceantair mórthimpeall orthu freisin, rud a bheidh ina chabhair mhór i ndiaidh 2009, bliain dheacair don earnáil turasóireachta.

 Agus í ag labhairt faoin tseirbhís nua, dúirt Lisa McAllister, Príomhfheidhmeannach an WDC, “Ba bhreá leis an WDC comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le hIarnród Éireann agus leis na páirtithe leasmhara uile a d’oibrigh go díograiseach chun an líne iarnróid a athbhunú agus na seirbhísí nua a chur ar fáil. Is féidir an tseirbhís nua a sholáthar a bhuíochas le hatógáil na líne ó Inis go Baile Átha an Rí, breis agus 30 bliain ó cuireadh na seirbhísí sceidealta deireanacha ar fáil. Téann an cineál seo d’fhorbairt bonneagair leis an méid a bhí beartaithe sa Straitéis Spáis Náisiúnta (SSN) maidir le hiompar poiblí inbhuanaithe a chur ar fáil a nascfadh lárionaid phríomhúla chun cur ar a gcumas forbairt eacnamaíoch bhreise a dhéanamh.”

 Dúirt Deirdre Frost, Anailísí Beartais leis an WDC: “Cuirimid fáilte roimh an tseirbhís nua seo, agus tá súil againn nach gcuirfear an chéad chéim eile, ó Bhaile Átha an Rí agus ar aghaidh go Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, ar athlá mar thoradh ar dheacrachtaí geilleagracha reatha. I dtuarascáil an WDC ó 2009, ‘Travel to Work and Labour Catchments in the Western Region’, aithníodh patrúin thábhachtacha iompair a léiríonn éileamh mór ar sheirbhísí iarnróid ó thuaidh ó chathair na Gaillimhe. Léiríonn sé sin gur chóir Conair Iarnróid an Iarthair (CII) a leathnú go Tuaim agus go Clár Chlainne Mhuiris a luaithe agus is féidir, mar de réir na tuarascála, déanann níos mó daoine comaitéireacht go cathair na Gaillimhe ó thuaisceart an chontae, mar shampla ó cheantar saothair Thuama, ná mar a dhéanann comaitéireacht go cathair na Gaillimhe ón deisceart, is é sin, ó cheantar saothair an Ghoirt. Mar sin, is léir go mbeidh éileamh mór ar sheirbhísí iompair poiblí go dtí an chathair ó thuaisceart an chontae, agus inár dtuairim, taispeánann sé sin go soiléir gur chóir an chéad chéim eile de Chonair Iarnróid an Iarthair, ó Bhaile Átha an Rí go Tuaim agus ar aghaidh go Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, a thógáil.”

 Ar dtús, cuirfear cúig sheirbhís i ngach treo idir Gaillimh agus Luimneach ar fáil in aghaidh an lae (Luan go Satharn), le ceithre sheirbhís i ngach treo ar fáil ar an Domhnach. Creideann an WDC go mbainfidh líon mór paisinéirí úsáid as an tseirbhís agus go laghdófar ar líon na dturasanna i ngluaisteáin dá bharr.

 ”Táimid sásta freisin go ndéanfaidh Iarnród Éireann seirbhísí comaitéireachta agus idirchathrach araon a chur chun cinn agus tá súil againn go n-ordófar traenacha nua le haghaidh na seirbhísí idirchathrach ar an líne. Le bunú na seirbhíse nua, tá an gréasán iarnróid in Iarthar agus i nDeisceart na tíre oscailte, mar anois tá Gaillimh agus Luimneach, agus bailte ar bhealach na líne iarnróid, nasctha le Corcaigh agus le Port Láirge, i dteannta Mala, Trá Lí agus Cill Airne,” a dúirt an tUasal Frost freisin.

 Seolfar an tseirbhís nua go hoifigiúil Dé Luain, an 29 Márta, agus cuirfear seirbhísí ar fáil don phobal ó Dé Máirt, an 30 Márta.

 Maidir le lasta iarnróid, creideann an WDC go dtreisíonn leathnú na seirbhísí lasta iarnróid ó Mhaigh Eo, le seirbhísí nua ó Bhéal an Átha ó 2009 i leith, an cás atá ann do leathnú an CII ó thuaidh go Tuaim agus go Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, agus ar aghaidh go Sligeach. “Creidimid go n osclódh sé seo bealaí lasta iarnróid nua ó dheas trí Inis agus trí Luimneach go calafoirt i bPort Láirge agus i Ros Láir, agus go gcuirfeadh sé ar chumas úsáideoirí seirbhísí lasta an gréasán iarnróid timpeall ar Bhaile Átha Cliath, atá thar a bheith plódaithe, a sheachaint,” a dúirt an tUasal Frost mar fhocal scoir.

RASLRES: REGIONAL APPROACHES TO STIMULATING LOCAL RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

The Western Region of Ireland is poised to reap the benefit of an almost €3 million multi-national bio-energy project being led by the Western Development Commission. The RASLRES project is a European-funded initiative that aims to benefit the Western Region in a number of crucial areas related to renewable bio-mass, namely supplying local energy from local sources and delivering sustainable jobs to rural areas. At a meeting of regional stakeholders in Carrick-on-Shannon 12th March, it was disclosed that already the WDC has received around 125 enquiries about involvement in the RASLRES project from regional businesses and organisations, which has overwhelmed and delighted the partners according to Ian Brannigan, Regional Development Manager for the WDC.

“The interest in being part of this innovative project in the West is clear from the stir it has already created. We see RASLRES as being a stepping stone to enable rural areas to use their natural resources to create sustainable economic development and help Ireland reach emissions targets in the process.”

Bernadette Phelan, Regional Development Executive at the WDC explained, “A lot of the forestry plantations in the west were planted during the 1980s and 1990s. This resource is therefore at an age suitable for first and subsequent thinnings so the project is very timely. Developing the wood energy market will create a market for these forestry thinnings and will encourage farmers to actively manage their forestry which in the long run results in a better timber harvest when the trees are fully mature.”

WDC research shows that the West could develop an indigenous, sustainable, renewable energy resource delivering 11% of the regions’ heat needs by 2020 and create up to 900 additional jobs. To deliver 11% of the region’s heat needs would require over 470,000 tonnes of wood fuel, generate an additional €15 million to the economy and provide €1.7 million to the west’s farming sector each year. The jobs created would be spread across the entire supply chain from private forest owners, to haulage companies, to plumbing, engineering, and electrical companies. Additionally the estimated CO2 emissions saved annually would equate to taking over 92,000 cars off the roads in the west of Ireland

Given the high level of interest already shown in being part of the RASLRES project, Brannigan stated that formal expressions of interest are now being sought from wood growers, suppliers or potential end users of wood energy. Brannigan urged people, however, to submit their expressions of interest for consideration immediately by contacting Ian Brannigan at ianbrannigan@wdc.ie.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ian Brannigan
Regional Development Manager
Western Development Commission
Tel: +353 (0)94 9861893
Mobile: +353 (0)86 6048012
Email: ianbrannigan@wdc.ie

NOTE TO THE EDITOR:

RASLRES is a project funded by the Northern Periphery Programme (www.northernperiphery.eu). The RASLRES project will:

• build awareness of opportunities for rural communities to produce and supply locally produced biomass (wood, seaweed and energy crops) to towns and cities
•  provide business development support to rural biomass producing communities
• development of biomass supply chains through direct business and community engagement

 RASLRES is an international partnership which includes:

•  Western Development Commission – Ireland
•  Action Renewables – Northern Ireland, UK
•  Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – Scotland
•  Municipality of Norsjö – Sweden
•  Oceanrainforest Ltd – Faroe Islands
•  VTT, Technical Research Centre – Finland

Ian Brannigan was speaking at a meeting of the Regional Wood Energy Advisory Group in Carrick-On-Shannon on Friday 12th March. The Regional Wood Energy Action Group will act as an advisory group to the project for its duration until 2012. Its members include:

• Paul Dykes and Pearse Buckley, Sustainable Energy Ireland
• Steven Meyen and Barry Caslin, Teagasc
• Richard Browne, Department from Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
• Doirín Graham and Gloria Callinan, Clare Local Development
• Geraldine O’Sullivan, Irish Farmers Association
• Peter Keavney, Galway City Council
• Peter Cafferkey, Department of Agriculture
• Conor Lawlor, Sligo Institute of Technology
• Charles Sweeney, Donegal County Council
• Fiona Ní Mhurchadha, Udarás na Gaelteachta
• John O’Brien, Irish Bioenergy Association

SPREAGTAR SPÉIS I dTIONSCADAL BITHFHUINNIMH I RÉIGIÚN AN IARTHAIR

RASLRES: CINEÁLACHA CUR CHUIGE RÉIGIÚNACHA CHUN RÉITIGH ÁITIÚLA MAIDIR LE FUINNEAMH IN ATHNUAITE A SPREAGADH

Tá Réigiún an Iarthair chun tairbhe a bhaint as tionscadal bithfhuinnimh ilnáisiúnta de luach beagnach €3 mhilliún atá á stiúradh ag Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair. Is tionscnamh maoinithe ag an Eoraip é RASLRES a bhfuil mar aidhm aige cabhrú le Réigiún an Iarthair tairbhe a bhaint as roinnt réimsí ríthábhachtacha a bhaineann le bithmhais in athnuaite, is iad sin, fuinneamh áitiúil a sholáthar ó fhoinsí áitiúla agus poist inbhuanaithe a chur ar fáil i gceantair tuaithe. Ag cruinniú na bpáirtithe leasmhara réigiúnacha i gCora Droma Rúisc an 12 Márta, nochtadh go raibh thart ar 125 fiosrúchán ó ghnóthais agus ó eagraíochtaí réigiúnacha le spéis acu i bpáirt a ghlacadh sa tionscadal RASLRES faighte ag an WDC cheana féin, rud a chuir gliondar croí ar na comhpháirtithe de réir Ian Brannigan, Bainisteoir Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC.

“Is léir ón bplé atá á dhéanamh faoi go bhfuil spéis ag daoine i bpáirt a ghlacadh sa tionscadal nuálaíoch seo san Iarthar. Is cloch chora é RASLRES a chuirfidh ar chumas ceantar tuaithe a n acmhainní nádúrtha a úsáid chun forbairt eacnamaíoch inbhuanaithe a dhéanamh, agus a chabhróidh le hÉirinn spriocanna maidir le hastuithe a bhaint amach ag an am céanna.”

Mhínigh Bernadette Phelan, Feidhmeannach Forbartha Réigiúnaí leis an WDC, “Cuireadh an chuid de na fáschoillte foraoiseachta san iarthar le linn na 1980í agus na 1990í. Mar sin, tá sé in am an acmhainn seo a thanú den chéad uair, agus beidh sí le tanú arís ina dhiaidh sin. Dá bhrí sin, tá an tionscadal thar a bheith tráthúil. Tríd an margadh fuinnimh adhmaid a fhorbairt, cruthófar margadh do na tanúcháin foraoiseachta seo agus spreagfar d’fheirmeoirí bainistíocht ghníomhach a dhéanamh ar a bhforaoisí, rud a bheidh ina chúis le baint fheabhsaithe adhmaid nuair a bheidh na crainn go hiomlán aibí.”

Léiríonn taighde an WDC go bhféadfadh an tIarthar acmhainn fuinnimh dhúchasach, inbhuanaithe, in athnuaite a fhorbairt a sheachadfadh 11% de riachtanais teasa an réigiúin faoi 2020 agus a chruthódh suas le 900 post breise. Chun 11% de riachtanais teasa an réigiúin a chur ar fáil, bheadh gá le breis agus 470,000 tonna de bhreosla adhmaid, ghinfí €15 mhilliún breise don gheilleagar, agus chuirfí €1.7 milliún ar fáil d’earnáil feirmeoireachta an iarthair gach bliain. Bheadh na poist a chruthófaí scaipthe ar fud an tslabhra soláthair, ó úinéirí foraoisí príobháideacha, go cuideachtaí tarlaithe bóthair, go cuideachtaí pluiméireachta, innealtóireachta agus leictreachais. Lena chois sin, meastar go mbeadh an laghdú ar astuithe CO2 in aghaidh na bliana cothrom le breis agus 92,000 gluaisteán a bhaint de bhóithre in iarthar na hÉireann.

Toisc líon na ndaoine a luaigh go mbeadh spéis acu i bpáirt a ghlacadh i dtionscadal RASLRES cheana féin, chuir an tUasal Brannigan in iúl go bhfuil léirithe spéise foirmiúla á lorg ó shaothróirí agus soláthraithe adhmaid nó ó úsáideoirí deiridh féideartha fuinnimh adhmaid anois. Mhol an tUasal Brannigan do dhaoine a léirithe spéise a chur in iúl láithreach trí ríomhphost a sheoladh chuige ag ianbrannigan@wdc.ie chun go bhféadfaí iad a mheasúnú.

TUILLEADH FAISNÉISE:
Ian Brannigan
Bainisteoir Forbartha Réigiúnaí
Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair
Teil: +353 (0)94 9861893
Fón póca: +353 (0)86 6048012
Ríomhphost: ianbrannigan@wdc.ie

NÓTA DON EAGARTHÓIR:

Is tionscadal é RASLRES atá maoinithe ag Clár an Imill Thuaidh (www.northernperiphery.eu). Maidir leis an tionscadal RASLRES:

• méadóidh sé feasacht ar na deiseanna atá ann do phobail tuaithe bithmhais áitiúil (adhmad, feamainn agus barraí fuinnimh) a tháirgeadh agus a sholáthar do bhailte agus do chathracha
• cuirfidh sé tacaíocht forbartha gnó ar fáil do phobail áitiúla a tháirgfidh bithmhais
• forbróidh sé slabhraí soláthair bithmhaise trí chaidreamh díreach a bhunú le gnóthais agus leis an bpobal

Is comhpháirtíocht idirnáisiúnta í RASLRES a bhfuil na grúpaí seo a leanas páirteach inti:

• Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair – Éire
• Action Renewables – Tuaisceart Éireann, an RA
• Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – an Albain
• Bardas Norsjö – an tSualainn
• Oceanrainforest Teo – Oileáin Fharó
• VTT, Lárionad um Thaighde Teicniúil – an Fhionlainn

Bhí Ian Brannigan ag labhairt ag cruinniú den Ghrúpa Comhairleach Réigiúnach ar Fhuinneamh Adhmaid i gCora Droma Rúisc Dé hAoine, an 12 Márta. Cuirfidh an Grúpa Comhairleach Réigiúnach ar Fhuinneamh Adhmaid comhairle ar an tionscadal ar feadh a shaoil, is é sin go dtí 2012. I measc a chuid ball tá:

• Paul Dykes agus Pearse Buckley, Fuinneamh Inmharthana Éireann
• Steven Meyen agus Barry Caslin, Teagasc
• Richard Browne, an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha
• Doirín Graham agus Gloria Callinan, Forbairt Áitiúil an Chláir
• Geraldine O’Sullivan, Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann
• Peter Keavney, Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe
• Peter Cafferkey, an Roinn Talmhaíochta
• Conor Lawlor, Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Shligigh
• Charles Sweeney, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall
• Fiona Ní Mhurchadha, Údarás na Gaeltachta
• John O’Brien, Cumann Bithfhuinnimh na hÉireann

RASLRES

In shaping a sustainable future, the RASLRES project will stimulate and strengthen regional renewable energy businesses, create local jobs and contribute to a thriving regional energy sector.

The RASLRES project will:

 a)    build awareness of opportunities for rural communities to produce and supply local biomass (wood,
         seaweed and energy crops) to provide energy to local towns and cities

b)    provide business development support to local communities to realise the full potential of renewable
        energy

c)    connect supply and demand within local businesses and the community

RASLRES is an international partnership which includes:

• Western Development Commission – Ireland
•  Action Renewables – Northern Ireland, UK
•  Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – Scotland
•  Municipality of Norsjö – Sweden
•  Oceanrainforest Ltd – Faroe Islands
•  VTT, Technical Research Centre – Finland

The RASLRES project will rely on this broad international expertise and best practice knowledge to provide comprehensive and sustainable local biomass production and bioenergy solutions for rural communities, through project objectives, which include:

•  Testing three market stimulation models designed to support the growth of new and existing renewable energy businesses
•  Promoting rural community independence and self-sustainability by using locally produced biomass fuel resources
•  Growing local businesses and increasing jobs in rural communities through local renewable energy development
•  Helping governments achieve their targets for greenhouse gas reduction through increased use of biomass as an alternative renewable energy

The project will conclude with a showcase of the outputs from all partner regions in December 2012.

RASLRES

Acmhainní Áitiúla – Fuinneamh Áitiúil – Réitigh Áitiúla – Poist Áitiúla

Agus é ag cabhrú le todhchaí inbhuanaithe a chruthú, spreagfaidh agus treiseoidh an tionscadal RASLRES gnóthais fuinnimh in athnuaite réigiúnacha, cruthóidh sé poist áitiúla agus cuirfidh sé le hearnáil fuinnimh réigiúnach rathúil.

Maidir leis an tionscadal RASLRES:

 a)     méadóidh sé feasacht ar na deiseanna atá ann do phobail tuaithe bithmhais áitiúil (adhmad, feamainn
          agus barraí fuinnimh) a tháirgeadh agus a sholáthar d’fhonn fuinneamh a ghiniúint do bhailte agus do
          chathracha áitiúla

b)     cuirfidh sé tacaíocht forbartha gnó ar fáil do phobail áitiúla chun cabhrú leo an leas is fearr a bhaint as
          acmhainneacht iomlán an fhuinnimh in athnuaite

c)     nascfaidh sé soláthar agus éileamh i ngnóthais áitiúla agus sa phobal

Is comhpháirtíocht idirnáisiúnta í RASLRES a bhfuil na grúpaí seo a leanas páirteach inti:

• Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair – Éire
• Action Renewables – Tuaisceart Éireann, an RA
•  Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College – an Albain
• Bardas Norsjö – an tSualainn
• Oceanrainforest Teo – Oileáin Fharó
•  VTT, Lárionad um Thaighde Teicniúil – an Fhionlainn

Úsáidfidh an tionscadal RASLRES an saineolas idirnáisiúnta fairsing seo agus eolas ar dhea chleachtas chun táirgeadh áitiúil bithmhaise agus réitigh bhithfhuinnimh chuimsitheacha, inbhuanaithe a chur ar fáil do phobail tuaithe, trí mheán cuspóirí tionscadail, lena n áirítear:

•  Tástáil a dhéanamh ar thrí shamhail spreagtha margaidh atá deartha chun tacú le fás gnóthas nua agus bunaithe a bhíonn ag plé le fuinneamh in athnuaite
•  Neamhspleáchas agus féin inbhuanaitheacht pobal tuaithe a chur chun cinn trí acmhainní breosla bithmhaise a tháirgtear go háitiúil a úsáid
•  Gnóthais áitiúla a fhorbairt agus líon post a mhéadú i bpobail tuaithe trí fhuinneamh in athnuaite a fhorbairt go háitiúil
•  Cabhrú le rialtais a spriocanna maidir le hastuithe ceaptha teasa a laghdú a bhaint amach trí úsáid bithmhaise mar fhuinneamh in athnuaite malartach a mhéadú

I mí na Nollag 2012 nuair a chríochnófar an tionscadal, cuirfear aschuir na réigiún comhpháirteach uile ar taispeáint.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has welcomed the publication of Innovation Ireland: Report of the Innovation Taskforce, the report of the Government Taskforce on positioning Ireland as an International Innovation Development Hub. It presents an important opportunity for the Western Region to build on its strengths and contribute to strengthening Ireland’s levels of innovation.

Speaking about the report, Lisa McAllister Chief Executive at the WDC said: “We welcome many of the Report’s recommendations, several of which are consistent with previous WDC recommendations. For example, early in 2009 we published Creative West, which identified the Region’s strength in the creative sector (employing 11,000 people in the Region) and its potential for future growth. We recommended mainstreaming creativity within primary and secondary school education as critical to growing the sector in the Region and nationally. The Innovation Taskforce has now set a fundamental principle as ‘An education system which fosters independent thinking, creativity and innovation . . .’ which the WDC feels is a very positive step towards growing this sector which holds so much potential for the Region.”

“The WDC strongly believes that the Western Region’s future entrepreneurs and innovators need to be nurtured and supported through the education system. We are particularly pleased to see the Innovation Taskforce acknowledge that ‘… artistic, culture and creative minds’ must be positioned at the centre of innovative businesses,” she added.

The Taskforce’s report also highlights the need for greater access to venture capital to support innovative activity. Since 2001 the WDC’s Investment Fund has invested almost €37m in venture capital in the Western Region, largely in highly innovative, knowledge-based indigenous businesses. “The WDC believes there is a strong need for continuing access to venture capital so that innovative businesses in the Western Region can continue to be at the heart of innovation in Ireland. The State has a central role in achieving this, especially in terms of early-stage seed capital investments required by highly innovative entrepreneurs,” said Ms McAllister.

In its submission last year to the Innovation Taskforce the WDC recommended that innovation policy and support should include targeting regional strengths and assets. The Western Region has advantages in areas such as life sciences, renewable energy and the creative industries. “Regional innovation centres, which build on such regional strengths, would allow the economic potential of these sectors to be fully realised, as well as increasing the Region’s contribution to national innovation levels,” she added.

Defining innovation as new ways of doing things, new ways of thinking, new products, new processes or new organisational structures, Pauline White, Policy Analyst with the WDC, cited a recent OECD report Regions Matter which emphasises the connection between the level of innovation in a region and its economic performance. She pointed out the substantial differences in the current innovative capacity of regions within Ireland and that this directly impacts on the level of development within regions. “Regions with weaker innovative capacity simply do not perform as well as other regions,” she said.

The WDC believes that if Ireland is to truly become the ‘Innovation Island’, then innovation policy and support needs to identify and build on regional strengths. The contribution which smaller centres and rural areas can make to national innovation objectives, and the critical role of innovation in the economic future of such areas, should also be considered in approaches to increasing innovation.

A December 2009 report from the WDC, Work in the West, highlighted the employment and economic challenges currently facing the Western Region. It highlighted the Region’s research and innovation capacity as a critical factor in tackling these challenges and creating jobs. “The Western Region’s human resource has improved hugely in recent years. We must work to retain this vital resource as, at the end of the day, people are the most critical input to innovation”, Ms White concluded. 

Cuireann an WDC fáilte roimh Thuarascáil an Tascfhórsa Nuálaíochta agus iarrann sé go gCuirfidh Nuálaíocht le Láidreachtaí Réigiúnacha

 Chuir Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) fáilte roimh fhoilsiú Innovation Ireland: Report of the Innovation Taskforce, tuarascáil an Tascfhórsa Rialtais ar conas is féidir Éire a fhorbairt mar Mhol Idirnáisiúnta um Fhorbairt na Nuálaíochta. Tugann sé deis thábhachtach do Réigiún an Iarthair cur lena láidreachtaí agus cabhrú le leibhéil nuálaíochta in Éirinn a threisiú.

 Agus í ag labhairt faoin tuarascáil, dúirt Lisa McAllister, Príomhfheidhmeannach an WDC: “Cuirimid fáilte roimh an-chuid de na moltaí sa Tuarascáil agus cinnte, téann roinnt díobh leis an méid a mhol WDC roimhe seo. Mar shampla, go luath in 2009 d’fhoilsíomar Creative West, a d’aithin láidreacht an Réigiúin san earnáil chruthaitheach (ina bhfostaítear 11,000 duine sa Réigiún) agus an cumas atá ann forbairt bhreise a dhéanamh ar an earnáil seo. Mholamar go mbeadh sé riachtanach cruthaitheacht a phríomhshruthú in oideachas bunscoile agus meánscoile chun an earnáil a fhorbairt sa Réigiún agus go náisiúnta. Anois, is prionsabal bunúsach de chuid an Tascfhórsa Nuálaíochta ‘Córas oideachais a chothaíonn smaointeoireacht neamhspleách, cruthaitheacht agus nuálaíocht. . .’ agus braitheann an WDC gur céim an-dearfach é seo a chabhróidh le forbairt na hearnála seo, earnáil a bhfuil acmhainneacht ollmhór aici don Réigiún.”

 ”Creideann an WDC go láidir go gcaithfear fiontraithe agus nuálaithe óga Réigiún an Iarthair a chothú agus a thacú trí mheán an chórais oideachais. Táimid thar a bheith sásta gur aithin an Tascfhórsa Nuálaíochta go gcaithfear ‘…aigní ealaíonta, cultúrtha agus cruthaitheacha’ a chur ag croílár na ngnóthas nuálaíoch,” a dúirt sí freisin.

 Leagann tuarascáil an Tascfhórsa béim freisin ar an ngá le rochtain mhéadaithe ar chaipiteal fiontair chun tacú le gníomhaíocht nuálaíoch. Ó 2001 i leith, tá caipiteal fiontair de luach beagnach €37m infheistithe i Réigiún an Iarthair ag Ciste Infheistíochta an WDC, go príomhúil i ngnóthais eolasbhunaithe dhúchasacha. “Creideann an WDC go bhfuil rochtain leanúnach ar chaipiteal fiontair thar a bheith riachtanach chun cur ar chumas gnóthas nuálaíoch i Réigiún an Iarthair fanacht ag croílár na nuálaíochta in Éirinn. Tá ról lárnach ag an Stát maidir leis an aidhm seo a bhaint amach, go háirithe i ndáil le hinfheistíochtaí luatha de shíolchaipiteal a bhíonn ag teastáil ó fhiontraithe an-nuálaíoch,” a dúirt an tUasal McAllister.

 San aighneacht a chuir sé faoi bhráid an Tascfhórsa Nuálaíochta anuraidh, mhol an WDC gur chóir do bheartas nuálaíochta agus do thacaíocht don nuálaíocht a bheith spriocdhírithe ar láidreachtaí agus sócmhainní réigiúnacha, i measc eile. Tá buntáistí ag Réigiún an Iarthair i réimsí cosúil le heolaíochtaí beatha, fuinneamh in-athnuaite agus na tionscail chruthaitheacha. “Dá mbunófaí ionaid nuálaíochta réigiúnacha a chuirfeadh le láidreachtaí réigiúnacha den sórt sin, d’fhéadfaí leas iomlán a bhaint as cumas eacnamaíoch na n-earnálacha seo, agus d’fhéadfaí méadú ar an méid a chuireann an Réigiún le leibhéil nuálaíochta náisiúnta,” a dúirt sí freisin.

 Agus í ag sainiú na nuálaíochta mar bhealaí nua le rudaí a dhéanamh, bealaí nua smaointeoireachta, táirgí nua, próisis nua nó struchtúir eagraíochtúla nua, luaigh Pauline White, Anailísí Beartais leis an WDC, tuarascáil a d’eisigh an OECD le deireanas Regions Matter ina leagtar béim ar an nasc idir leibhéal na nuálaíochta i réigiún agus feidhmíocht eacnamaíoch an réigiúin sin. Luaigh sí na difríochtaí suntasacha idir cumas nuálaíochta reatha na réigiún éagsúil in Éirinn agus an tionchar díreach a bhíonn aige sin ar leibhéal na forbartha laistigh de na réigiúin sin. “Ag deireadh an lae, má tá cumas nuálaíoch níos laige ag réigiúin, níl a bhfeidhmíocht chomh maith agus feidhmíocht réigiún eile,” a dúirt sí.

 Má tá Éire chun bheith mar ‘Oileán na Nuálaíochta’, creideann an WDC go gcaithfidh beartas nuálaíochta agus tacaíocht don nuálaíocht láidreachtaí réigiúnacha a aithint agus cur leo. Ba chóir an chaoi ar féidir le hionaid níos lú agus ceantair tuaithe cabhrú le cuspóirí nuálaíochta náisiúnta a bhaint amach agus ról ríthábhachtach na nuálaíochta i dtodhchaí eacnamaíoch ceantar den sórt sin a mheasúnú chomh maith nuair a dheartar cuir chuige chun nuálaíocht a mhéadú.

 Leag tuarascáil a d’fhoilsigh an WDC i mí na Nollag 2009, Work in the West, na dúshláin fostaíochta agus eacnamaíocha atá le sárú ag Réigiún an Iarthair i láthair na huaire. Leag sí béim ar an tábhacht a bhainfidh le cumas taighde agus nuálaíochta an Réigiúin chun dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin seo agus poist a chruthú. “Tá feabhas ollmhór tagtha ar acmhainn dhaonna Réigiún an Iarthair le blianta beaga anuas. Caithfimid obair a dhéanamh chun an acmhainn riachtanach seo a choinneáil, mar ag deireadh an lae, is iad daoine an t-ionchur is tábhachtaí sa nuálaíocht”, a dúirt an tUasal White mar fhocal scoir.

The Western Development Commission is delighted with today’s announcement of the Volvo Ocean Race finishing in Galway in 2012 and sees it as an ideal opportunity to reinvigorate the potential of marine leisure activities in the Western Region.

Welcoming the announcement, Lisa McAllister, CEO of the WDC said: “We are absolutely delighted at Galway’s selection as the race finish port. Galway’s selection is the product of a cohesive public and private partnership that will deliver substantial tourism revenues not only to the Western Region but to the Island as a whole.”

The WDC, in a report entitled Work in the West: The Western Region’s Employment & Unemployment Challenge, has identified eight sectors where the Western Region has comparative strengths in order to address the significant employment challenges facing the Region. Tourism and marine leisure were one of those areas identified. The report called for greater coordination of public bodies at national, regional and local level if this sector of employment is to grow. “I can think of no greater catalyst to bring about the level of coordination required than today’s announcement,” said Ms McAllister.

The WDC was heavily involved in the Galway Stopover in 2009 and is currently actively supporting the Let’s do it Galway Team in hosting the Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race 2010. The WDC recognises the enormous potential that the hosting of such events offers to the Western Region and all those associated with bringing such events to the Region should be strongly supported in their efforts.

Ba chóir do Chríoch Rás Farraige Volvo Cumas Réigiún an Iarthair Gníomhaíochtaí Fóillíochta Mara a chur ar fáil a Athspreagadh – WDC

 Tá Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair thar a bheith sásta leis an bhfógra inniu go gcríochnófar Rás Farraige Volvo i nGaillimh in 2010, agus is dóigh leo gur deis idéalach é cumas Réigiún an Iarthair gníomhaíochtaí fóillíochta mara a chur ar fáil a athspreagadh.

 Agus í ag cur fáilte roimh an bhfógra, dúirt Lisa McAllister, Príomhfheidhmeannach an WDC: “Táimid ríshásta gur roghnaíodh Gaillimh mar chalafort deiridh an ráis. Roghnaíodh Gaillimh mar thoradh ar chomhpháirtíocht phoiblí, phríobháideach, chomhtháite a bheidh ina cúis le hioncam turasóireachta suntasach i Réigiún an Iarthair agus ar fud an Oileáin uile.”

 I dtuarascáil darb ainm dó Work in the West: The Western Region’s Employment & Unemployment Challenge, d’aithin an WDC ocht n‑earnáil ina bhfuil láidreachtaí comparáideacha ag Réigiún an Iarthair d’fhonn aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin fostaíochta mhóra atá le sárú ag an Réigiún. Bhí turasóireacht agus fóillíocht mhara ar cheann de na hearnálacha a aithníodh. Thug an tuarascáil le fios go raibh comhordú breise comhlachtaí poiblí ag teastáil ag leibhéal náisiúnta, réigiúnach agus áitiúil chun an earnáil fostaíochta seo a fhorbairt. “Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil catalaíoch ar bith ann a bheadh níos fearr ná fógra an lae inniu maidir le cabhrú linn an leibhéal comhordaithe sin a bhaint amach,” a dúirt an tUasal McAllister.

 Ghlac an WDC páirt ghníomhach i gCéim Gaillimhe an Ráis in 2009, agus i láthair na huaire tá sé ag tabhairt tacaíocht ghníomhach don Fhoireann Let’s do it Galway atá chun Rás Mótarbhád Easchósta Timpeall na hÉireann 2010 a óstáil. Aithníonn an WDC an tábhacht mhór a bhaineann le hóstáil ócáidí den sórt sin do Réigiún an Iarthair, agus ba chóir tacaíocht láidir a thabhairt d’iarrachtaí aon duine a bhfuil baint aige le hócáidí dá leithéid a mhealladh go dtí an Réigiún.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has re-launched its LookWest.ie website to include video case studies of people who have relocated or set up businesses in the Western Region. The site also utilises all the latest social networking tools to actively engage with a wider audience. The website, first launched in 2004, promotes the West as an attractive and economically-advantageous location for enterprise and is the definitive guide to living, working and doing business in Ireland’s Western Region. Lookwest.ie is aimed both at individuals and businesses in Ireland and overseas and is used by almost 20,000 visitors each month.

Joanne Grehan of the WDC said: “With the explosion in social networking we recognised an opportunity to use the latest technology to promote all the benefits of the Western Region to an online international audience. In times of economic constraint and job losses, it is more important than ever to continually communicate the benefits, innovation and creativity of Ireland’s Western Region so that we are well positioned to take advantage of economic recovery. More and more, commercial companies and organisations are using social networking to communicate with their customers in an extremely cost-effective way. LookWest.ie now communicates with audiences around the world using a number of social media channels including our monthly on-line newsletter, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, where the number of followers is growing on a daily basis. The website also offers RSS newsfeeds and features the latest in video technology via YouTube. By making the website so interactive, we can connect directly with people and highlight the advantages of living and doing business in the West.”

She added; “Our research has shown that when people or businesses are considering a location, they are heavily influenced by hearing from others who have successfully made the move. The new features on the website are a great opportunity to hear directly from people in their own words – why did they decide on the West as a location, what they see as the main advantages of locating here, what were the supports available and of course how the exceptional quality of life leads to an important work-life balance.”

The 16 featured video case studies include E&I Engineering in Donegal, who highlight the excellent quality of the Donegal workforce and say that their staff are attracted by benefits like great social amenities and no traffic congestion in the area. County Clare based Execpass.com and www.interventions.ie were set up by Adam Coleman who relocated from London and says that doing business in the West is positive in this economic climate because costs are lower thus making it easier to manage their overheads.

For county Galway based JFC Manufacturing, the West is no barrier to innovation and R&D; “We have a complete R&D facility in-house with 12 people employed to design and develop new technologies and product ranges”, said John Concannon, owner and managing director. While for another Galway company, Solaris Botanicals, who blend internationally award-winning organic teas to cater for the high-end retail and foodservice markets, the West is “a great place for artisan food producers who want to export to Europe”, said founder and director Joerg Mueller who moved to the west from Germany.

In Leitrim, Ronan Haslette left Dublin to come back and take over the management of his family business Merenda which designs and manufactures wood veneer products and also supplies specialist accessories including presentation pieces and displays. Ronan says: “I firmly believe that we would not get this team interaction and core company stability anywhere other than the West of Ireland”.

Infrastructure developments have made the West more attractive as a business location, and for Sligo company, The Cat and The Moon, broadband has been a boost to their business. “We do significant online business with our international customers and intend to make more of social media opportunities”, said Martina Gillan, a native of Sligo who set up the design studio and jewellery making business that now employs 14 people.

On the quality of life aspects, Nick Gudge in county Clare has found that the environmental advantages of living there offer benefits that he never takes for granted. Nick founded the West Coast Taijiquan Association, and now works with 25 teachers and around 450 students in the martial art of Taijiquan.

For Reg Gordon, a Galway-based photographer, the ease with which he can access the countryside to clear his mind helps him focus on being creative, while in Sligo, Justin Knecht, former Senior Manager of Design Services at Crayola in Pennsylvania and now Programme Manager at the Centre for Design Innovation at the Institute of Technology Sligo, says that the landscape and access to natural amenities are “astounding” and he loves being “beside some of the best surfing in Europe”. For Tommy Morahan who has relocated to his native Louisburgh in county Mayo from his position as lecturer in the San Francisco State University there have been several advantages for his family. “The impact on my two year old is probably the best thing about the move home; he is thriving in his new found space”, said Tommy.

Dundalk native and now resident of Boyle, Deirdre Cunningham owner of Cootehall Adventure had travelled extensively and had no previous connection with the West before she moved here to successfully set up her business which trains students to qualify for work in adventure centres and to go on to do degree courses in third level colleges.

The WDC is urging people who have a new business idea to check out the website at www.lookwest.ie to learn about the supports and resources available for entrepreneurs in the Western Region. It is also encouraging people to register their skills at http://www.lookwest.ie/skills-register so that the WDC can create a profile of the talent, qualifications and experience of the people living in the West or considering a move here. The WDC believes that such a profile will strongly contribute to attracting jobs and business to the Region. People who have an interesting story to tell about their relocation to the West or their experience of establishing a business here are also invited to share their experience by emailing info@lookwest.ie or going to http://www.lookwest.ie/case-study-application

Ends

For further information please contact:

Joanne Grehan, Western Development Commission, 086 856 5802

or

Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217