LookWest.ie, the Western Development Commission’s (WDC) online guide to living, working and doing business in Ireland’s Western Region, has been shortlisted for a Net Visionary e-Government Award which recognises enhanced interaction between government services and the general public.

Speaking about the awards Joanne Grehan of the WDC said: “We are delighted that LookWest.ie has been shortlisted by the judging panel of industry experts which included the Irish Internet Association, the digital division of The Irish Times and the Internet Marketing Unit of Enterprise Ireland, amongst others. Getting to this stage in the awards programme is recognition of the important role LookWest.ie plays in promoting the benefits and economic advantages of the West of Ireland.

“The overall winner in each category will be the website receiving the most votes from the public so we are now asking people from the Western Region, both those living here and those living elsewhere, to vote for LookWest.ie by clicking on http://www.iia.ie/net-visionary/vote/ Each person can only vote once so we are hoping that all those who have an affinity or link with the Western Region will log on and vote for LookWest.ie. Voting closes at midnight on April 30th and winners will be announced on May 20th.”

LookWest.ie, 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. The website is aimed both at individuals and businesses in Ireland and overseas and is used by almost 20,000 visitors each month. It engages with an online international audience to promote all the benefits of the Western Region as well as being a valuable online resource for people living in the region and in other parts of Ireland.

The website features video case studies of people who have relocated or set up businesses in the Western Region and utilises all the latest social networking tools to engage with a wide audience. Social media channels include a monthly on-line newsletter, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. The website also offers RSS newsfeeds and features the latest in video technology via YouTube.

Other aspects of the website include a skills register (http://www.lookwest.ie/skills-register) where people can register their skills and experience to help create a profile of the talent, qualifications and expertise of 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. It also encourages people who have an interesting story to tell about their relocation to the West or their experience of establishing a business here to share their experience by emailing info@lookwest.ie or going to http://www.lookwest.ie/case-study-application

“Using the latest in social networking tools, we have made the website very interactive so that we can connect directly with people. The expert panel of judges has recognised this too and now we hope that people from the West will support LookWest.ie’s promotion of the region by voting for us in the final stage of judging. It would be a great achievement for the West to win this prestigious award,” Ms Grehan concluded.

For further information please contact:

Joanne Grehan, Western Development Commission, 086 856 5802 or Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217

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

“If Sligo has the highest entry to 3rd Level education, a young workforce, one of the highest disposable incomes along with one of the shortest commuting times in the country – why aren’t more industries coming there?”
– Lisa McAllister, CEO, Western Development Commission

Sligo has become renowned as one of the world’s finest surfing centres. Conservative estimates suggest that there are 20 million surfers worldwide and over 2.5 million of them based in the USA.

“I want every one of those surfers to know they can come to the West of Ireland to work and play, if they bring their businesses with them,” said Lisa McAllister, CEO of the Western Development Commission (WDC). She added, “The announcement of fifty new jobs in Sligo this week by Equinoxe, the global hedge fund administrator makes me wonder why, as the county with the island’s highest entry to 3rd Level education, a younger workforce, one of the highest disposable incomes along with one of the shortest commuting times in the country – why aren’t more industries locating there?”

Ms. McAllister was speaking at the ‘Sligo is Open for Business’ breakfast event, organised in Dublin today (Thursday, 8th October 2009) by Sligo Chamber and Sligo Enterprise Europe Network, in association with the WDC.

The breakfast briefing was the first of its kind and was focussed on highlighting Co. Sligo as the ideal location for investment, both national and international. The 140 attendees, mostly prominent business people with a Sligo heritage, were addressed by Dermot Mannion – former CEO of Aer Lingus, John McAteer – HR Director, Abbott Ireland, Professor Terri Scott – President, IT Sligo as well as Lisa McAllister of the WDC.

President of Sligo Chamber, Kevin Quinn Jnr., commented, “Many people ask, ‘what did the Celtic Tiger do for us?’ – well in Sligo’s case it gave us greatly improved infrastructural links to major international centres and there has been a tremendous investment in our Institute of Technology. Some desk research that we have carried out suggests that office costs in Sligo are up to 30% lower than in Dublin and that was one of the reasons, I understand, that Equinoxe chose to move to Sligo, as well as for the availability of qualified staff, easy access to its Dublin office and the support of IT Sligo as a centre of innovation in the North West.

Mr Quinn added, “There is a significant differential between financial services salaries in the North West and the Dublin region. Depending on the skills and qualifications, financial services salaries tend to be around of 15% lower in the North West. What is more interesting is that companies tend to be able to recruit and crucially, retain staff in the region. A recent survey by HR consultants, Collins McNicholas, showed that 85% of people’s work-life balance improved since they relocated to the North West and 96% of respondents would recommend relocating to the region.”

For further information please contact:
Lisa McAllister, CEO, WDC, 086 771 9969
Kevin Quinn Jr. – 087 220 2200

About Enterprise Europe Network Sligo

The Enterprise Europe Network operates in 40 countries and is hosted by 500 business support organizations. Sligo Chamber hosts one of the six regional centres of the Enterprise Europe Network in Ireland. The network was created by the European Commission with the remit to assist, advise and inform SMEs on all aspects of business within the Internal Market. Enterprise Europe Network Sligo has an array of services which it offers to SMEs, such as our business enquiry service, public procurement information and Tender Watch service, market access information and our business partner search service. The Enterprise Europe Network also plays an important role as a “bridge” between the Commission and SME’s in providing feedback on Community matters affecting small businesses in the form of the SME Feedback Mechanism, part of the larger “Your Voice in Europe” programme.

For more information please visit www.een-ireland.ie

About Sligo Chamber:

Sligo Chamber was established in 1923 to further the interests of its members, to provide a range of effective and efficient services for the business community and to promote the long term economic development of Sligo City and County. Sligo Chamber currently has over 320 members and is part of the Chambers Ireland network comprising 60 member chambers representing over 13,000 businesses on the island of Ireland.

For more information please visit www.sligochamber.com.

Ag glao ar na marcaigh thoinne uile – “Tagaigí go Sligeach le hoibriú, le scíth a ligean agus le spraoi a dhéanamh”

“Nuair atá an céatadán is airde daoine a théann chuig oideachas 3ú leibhéal, lucht oibre níos óige, ioncam indiúscartha atá i measc na n-ioncam indiúscartha is airde sa tír agus roinnt de na hagaí comaitéireachta is lú sa tír ar fáil i Sligeach – cén fáth nach bhfuil níos mó tionscal ag teacht chun lonnú ann?” – Lisa McAllister, Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin, Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair

Tá cáil ar Shligeach anois mar cheann de na lárionaid mharcaíochta toinne is fearr ar domhan. De réir meastachán coimeádach tá 20 milliún marcach toinne ar fud an domhain agus tá breis agus 2.5 milliún díobh siúd lonnaithe i SAM.

“Teastaíonn uaim go mbeidh a fhios ag gach marcach toinne gur féidir leo teacht go hIarthar na hÉireann, le hoibriú agus le spraoi a dhéanamh, má thógann siad a gcuid gnóthas leo,” a dúirt Lisa McAllister, Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC). Dúirt sí freisin, “Tar éis do Equinoxe, an riarthóir cistí fálaithe domhanda, a fhógairt an tseachtain seo go gcuirfidh siad caoga post nua ar fáil i Sligeach, ní thuigim cén fáth nach bhfuil níos mó tionscal ag lonnú sa chontae – nuair atá an céatadán is airde daoine san oileán a théann chuig oideachas 3ú leibhéal, lucht oibre níos óige, ioncam indiúscartha atá i measc na n-ioncam indiúscartha is airde sa tír agus roinnt de na hagaí comaitéireachta is lú sa tír ar fáil ann?”

Bhí Ms. McAllister ag labhairt ag an imeacht gnó bricfeasta ‘Sligo is Open for Business’ a bhí ar siúl i mBaile Átha Cliath inniu (Déardaoin, 8 Deireadh Fómhair 2009), agus a d’eagraigh Comhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh agus Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach Shligigh, i gcomhar leis an WDC.

Bhí an cruinniú faisnéise bricfeasta ar an gcéad chruinniú den chineál seo riamh agus bhí sé dírithe ar Chontae Shligigh a chur chun cinn mar cheantar idéalach don infheistíocht náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta araon. Labhair Dermot Mannion – iar-Phríomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Aer Lingus, John McAteer – Stiúrthóir Acmhainní Daonna, Abbott Ireland, an tOllamh Terri Scott – Uachtarán IT Shligigh agus Lisa McAllister ón WDC leis na 140 duine a d’fhreastail air, a bhí ina ndaoine gnó tábhachtacha de shliocht Shligigh den chuid is mó.

Dúirt Uachtarán Chomhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh, Kevin Quinn Sóis., “Cuireann a lán daoine an cheist, ‘cén tairbhe a bhaineamar as an Tíogar Ceilteach?’ – i gcás Sligigh, bunaíodh naisc bhonneagair i bhfad níos fearr le lárionaid thábhachtacha idirnáisiúnta agus infheistíodh a lán airgid san Institiúid Teicneolaíochta. Tugann roinnt taighde deisce a rinneamar le fios go mbíonn costais oifige i Sligeach suas le 30% níos ísle ná mar atá siad i mBaile Átha Cliath, agus de réir mar is eol dom, ba é sin ceann de na cúiseanna a chinn Equinoxe bogadh go Sligeach. I measc na gcúiseanna eile, bhí infhaighteacht ball foirne cáilithe, rochtain éasca ar a oifig i mBaile Átha Cliath agus tacaíocht IT Shligigh mar lárionad nuálaíochta san Iarthuaisceart.”

Chomh maith leis sin, dúirt an tUasal Quinn, “Tá difríocht shuntasach idir tuarastail seirbhísí airgeadais san Iarthuaisceart agus i réigiún Bhaile Átha Cliath. Ag brath ar scileanna agus ar cháilíochtaí, bíonn tuarastail seirbhísí airgeadais thart ar 15% níos lú san Iarthuaisceart de ghnáth. Rud atá níos suimiúla fós ná de ghnáth bíonn cuideachtaí in ann baill foirne a earcú, agus go ríthábhachtach, baill foirne a choinneáil sa réigiún. Léirigh suirbhé a rinne na comhairleoirí Acmhainní Daonna, Collins McNicholas, le deireanas gur tháinig feabhas ar chothromaíocht oibre saoil 85% de dhaoine ó bhog siad chuig an Iarthuaisceart, agus go molfadh 96% de fhreagróirí do dhaoine bogadh chuig an réigiún.”

Maidir le Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach Shligigh

Oibríonn an Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach i 40 tír agus óstálann 500 eagraíocht tacaíochta gnó é. Óstálann Comhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh ceann de na sé lárionad réigiúnacha den Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach in Éirinn. Chruthaigh an Coimisiún Eorpach an líonra chun fiontair bheaga agus mheánmhéide a chabhrú le gach gné den ghnó laistigh den Mhargadh Inmheánach agus chun comhairle agus eolas a thabhairt dóibh faoi. Cuireann Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach Shligigh raon seirbhísí ar fáil d’fhiontair bheaga agus mheánmhéide, mar shampla, ár seirbhís um fhiosrúcháin ghnó, faisnéis ar sholáthar poiblí agus seirbhís Faireacháin Tairiscintí, faisnéis ar rochtain ar an margadh agus ár seirbhís um chuardach comhpháirtithe gnó. Tá ról tábhachtach mar “dhroichead” idir an Coimisiún agus fiontair bheaga agus mheánmhéide ag an Líonra Fiontraíochta Eorpach freisin, mar tugann sé aiseolas ar chúrsaí Comhphobail a théann i bhfeidhm ar ghnóthais bheaga trí mheán na Meicníochta Aiseolais d’Fhiontair Bheaga agus Mheánmhéide, atá ina cuid den chlár níos mó “Do Ghlór san Eoraip”.

Chun tuilleadh faisnéise a fháil tabhair cuairt ar www.een-ireland.ie

Maidir le Comhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh:

Bunaíodh Comhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh i 1923 chun leasanna a chomhaltaí a chur chun cinn, chun raon seirbhísí éifeachtúla agus éifeachtacha a chur ar fáil don phobal gnó agus chun forbairt eacnamaíoch fhadtéarmach Chathair agus Chontae Shligigh a chur chun cinn. I láthair na huaire, tá breis agus 320 comhalta ag Comhlachas Lucht Trádála Shligigh agus tá sé ina bhall den líonra de Chomhlachais Lucht Trádála Éireannacha ina bhfuil 60 comhlachas lucht trádála a ionadaíonn breis agus 13,000 gnó in oileán na hÉireann.

Chun tuilleadh faisnéise a fháil tabhair cuairt ar www.sligochamber.com .

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D’fhéadfadh seirbhísí clár fógraí, seomraí comhrá, grúpaí nuachta, fóraim, pobail, láithreáin ghréasáin phearsanta, féilirí, agus/nó saoráidí teachtaireachta nó cumarsáide eile a bheith ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, atá ceaptha chun é a chur ar do chumas cumarsáid a dhéanamh leis an bpobal i gcoitinne nó le grúpa (“Seirbhísí Cumarsáide” i dteannta a chéile), agus aontaíonn tú nach n-úsáidfidh tú na Seirbhísí Cumarsáide ach amháin chun teachtaireachtaí agus ábhar a chur suas, a sheoladh agus a ghlacadh, atá i gceart, agus a bhaineann leis an tSeirbhís áirithe Chumarsáide. Mar shampla, agus ní mar theorainn, aontaíonn tú, agus Seirbhís Chumarsáide á húsáid agat:

•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú daoine eile a aithisiú, drochíde a imirt orthu, iad a chiapadh, a leanúint nó a bhagairt, nó a
     gcearta dlíthiúla (cearta chun príobháideachta agus cearta chun poiblíochta ina measc) a shárú ar dhóigh eile.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon topaic, ainm, ábhar nó eolas a bhfuil míchuí, diamhaslach, clúmhillteach, sáraitheach,
     gáirsiúil, mígheanasach nó neamhdhleathach a fhoilsiú, a chur suas, a uaslódáil, a dháileadh nó a scaipeadh.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú comhaid a uaslódáil a bhfuil bogearraí nó ábhar eile iontu, a chosnaítear faoi dhlíthe maoine
     intleachtúla  (nó faoi cearta chun príobháideachta maidir le poiblíochta) ach amháin más rud é gur leatsa na   
     cearta agabhann leo, go bhfuil na cearta sin á rialú agat nó go bhfuil an toiliú ábhartha riachtanach faighte agat.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú comhaid a bhfuil víris orthu a uaslódáil, nó comhaid thruaillithe, nó bogearraí nó cláir dá
     samhail a d’fhéadfadh damáiste a dhéanamh do ríomhaire dhuine eile.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon earraí nó seirbhísí a fhógairt nó a chur ar díol, chun críocha gnó, ach amháin i gcás go
     mbíonn teachtaireachtaí dá leithéid ceadaithe go sonrach ag an Seirbhís Chumarsáide.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú suirbhéanna, comórtais, stuaic-scéimeanna nó litreacha slabhracha a stiúradh nó a chur ar
     aghaidh.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon chomhad a íoslódáil atá curtha suas ag duine eile a úsáideann Seirbhís Chumarsáide, a bhfuil
     aithne agat, nó ar chóir duit, de réir réasúin, aithne a bheith agat air nó uirthi, comhad nach féidir é a dháileadh sa 
     bhealach sin de réir dlí.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon saintréithe údair, fógraí dlíthiúla nó fógraí cearta eile nó sonrúcháin nó lipéid dhílsithe a
     fhalsú nó a scriosadh, a bhaineann le bunús nó le foinse na mbogearraí nó an ábhair eile a bhíonn i gcomhad a
     dhéantar é a uaslódáil.
•    Nach gcuirfidh tú srian le haon úsáideoir eile nó nach gcuirfidh tú cosc air nó uirthi as na Seirbhísí Cumarsáide a
     úsáid agus taitneamh a bhaint astu.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon chód iompair nó treoirlínte eile a shárú a d’fhéadfadh a bheith bainteach le haon Seirbhís
     áirithe Chumarsáide.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú eolas faoi dhaoine eile a shábháil, nó a bhailiú ar dhóigh eile, lena n-áirítear seoltaí     
     ríomhphoist,  gan toiliú a fháil ó na daoine sin.
•    Nach ndéanfaidh tú aon dlíthe nó rialacháin is infheidhme a shárú.

Níl Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair faoi cheangal ar bith chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar na Seirbhísí Cumarsáide. Forchoimeádann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair aige féin, áfach, an ceart chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na hábhair a chuirtear suas ar Sheirbhís Chumarsáide agus aon ábhar a bhaint uaithi de réir a bhreithiúnais féin. Forchoimeádann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair aige féin, an ceart chun an rochtain atá agat ar Sheirbhís áirithe Chumarsáide nó ar na Seirbhísí Cumarsáide go léir a fhoirceannadh, am ar bith, agus ar chúis ar bith, gan fógra.

Forchoimeádann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair aige féin i gcónaí, an ceart chun aon eolas a nochtadh a bhíonn riachtanach chun aon dlí infheidhmithe, rialachán, próiseas dlíthiúil nó iarratas ón rialtas a shásamh, nó aon eolas nó ábhar a chur in eagar, diúltú dó a chur suas nó é a bhaint ó aon Seirbhís Chumarsáide, go hiomlán nó i bpáirt, de réir bhreithiúnas Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair.

Bí cúramach i gcónaí agus aon eolas á thabhairt amach agat maidir leat féin nó le do leanaí, in aon Seirbhís Chumarsáide, a chuireann aithne ort go pearsanta. Ní dhéanann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair an t-ábhar, na teachtaireachtaí nó an t-eolas a bhíonn le fáil in aon Seirbhís Chumarsáide a rialú nó a thacú agus, mar sin de, déanann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair aon dliteanas a shéanadh go sonrach, a bhaineann leis na Seirbhísí Cumarsáide, agus aon ghníomhaíochtaí a leanann as páirt a ghlacadh in aon Seirbhís Chumarsáide. Ní urlabhraithe údaraithe iad bainisteoirí agus óstaigh do Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, agus ní gá go mbíonn a dtuairimí le feiceáil sna tuairimí a bhíonn ag Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair.

D’fhéadfaí teorainneacha úsáide, atáirgthe agus/nó scaipthe a chur leis na hábhair a chuirtear suas, trí uaslódáil, ar Sheirbhís Chumarsáide. Má dhéanann tú na hábhair a íoslódáil, beidh sé de dhualgas ort cloí leis na teorainneacha seo.

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ÁBHAIR A SHOLÁTHRAÍTEAR DO Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair NÓ A CHUIRTEAR SUAS AR AON láithreán gréasáin de chuid Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair

Ní éilíonn Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair úinéireacht ar na hábhair a sholáthraíonn tú dó (lena n-áirítear aiseolas agus moltaí) nó a dhéanann tú a chur suas, a uaslódáil, a ionchur nó a chur isteach ar aon láithreán gréasáin de chuid Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair nó a sheirbhísí gaolmhara (“Aighneachtaí” i dteannta a chéile). Trí d’Aighneacht a chur suas, a uaslódáil, a ionchur, a sholáthar nó a chur isteach, áfach, tugann tú cead do Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, dá chuideachtaí comhlachaithe agus dá fhocheadúnaithe riachtanacha chun d’Aighneacht a úsáid i dtaca lena ngnóthais Idirlín a oibriú, lena n-áirítear, gan teorainn, na cearta chun: d’Aighneacht a chóipeáil, a dháileadh, a tharchur, a chur ar taispeáint go poiblí, a chur i ngníomh go poiblí, a atáirgeadh, a chur in eagar, a aistriú agus a athfhormáidiú; agus chun d’ainm a fhoilsiú i dtaca leis an Aighneacht agat.

Ní íocfar cúiteamh leat má úsáidtear d’Aighneacht, mar a fhoráiltear anseo feasta. Níl Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair faoi cheangal ar bith chun aon Aighneacht, a d’fhéadfadh a bheith curtha ar fáil agat, a chur suas nó a úsáid agus d’fhéadfadh sé aon Aighneacht a bhaint ó Sheirbhís Chumarsáide, am ar bith, de réir a bhreithiúnais féin.
Trí d’Aighneacht a chur suas, a íoslódáil, a ionchur, a sholáthar nó a chur isteach, tugann tú ráthaíocht agus léiríonn tú go bhfuil na cearta go léir chun na hAighneachta sin i seilbh agat nó go bhfuil siad á rialú agat ar dhóigh eile, mar a thuairiscítear san alt seo, lena n-áirítear, gan teorainn, na cearta go léir atá riachtanach chun Aighneachtaí a sholáthar, a chur suas, a uaslódáil, a ionchur nó a chur isteach.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

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Western Development Commission and/or its suppliers make no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, software, products, services and related graphics contained on the Western Development Commission website for any purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, all such information, software, products, services and related graphics are provided “as is” without warranty or condition of any kind. Western Development Commission and/or its suppliers hereby disclaim all warranties and conditions with regard to this information, software, products, services and related graphics, including all implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Western Development Commission and/or its suppliers be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, consequential damages or any damages whatsoever including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or performance of the Western Development Commission website, with the delay or inability to use the Western Development Commission website or related services, the provision of or failure to provide services, or for any information, software, products, services and related graphics obtained through the Western Development Commission website, or otherwise arising out of the use of the Western Development Commission website, whether based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability or otherwise, even if Western Development Commission or any of its suppliers has been advised of the possibility of damages. Because some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you. If you are dissatisfied with any portion of the Western Development Commission website, or with any of these terms of use, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using the Western Development Commission website.

SÉANADH MAIDIR LE DLITEANAS

D’fhéadfadh míchruinnis nó earráidí cló a bheith san eolas, sna bogearraí, sna táirgí agus sna seirbhísí atá ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair nó a chuirtear ar fáil tríd an láithreán. Déantar an t-eolas anseo feasta a athrú ó am go chéile. D’fhéadfadh Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó a sholáthraithe feabhas a chur ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó é a athrú am ar bith. Ní cóir muinín a chur sa chomhairle a fhaightear trí láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair chun cinntí pearsanta, leighis, dlíthiúla nó airgeadais a dhéanamh agus bheadh sé níos fearr duit dul i gcomhairle leis an duine cuí gairmiúil chun sainchomhairle a fháil atá oiriúnach do na dálaí agat.
Ní chuireann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó a sholáthraithe aon eolas ar fáil maidir le hoiriúnacht, iontaofacht, infhaighteacht, tráthúlacht agus cruinneas de chuid an eolais, na mbogearraí, na dtáirgí, na seirbhísí agus na ngraificí gaolmhara, atá curtha ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair chun aon críche. A mhéad is mó a cheadaítear de réir an dlí is infheidhme, soláthraítear an t-eolas, na bogearraí, na táirgí, na seirbhísí agus na graificí gaolmhara seo go léir “mar atá” gan aon bharánta nó coinníoll d’aon saghas. Déanann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó a sholáthraithe na barántaí agus na coinníollacha go léir a shéanadh leis seo, a bhaineann leis an eolas, na bogearraí, na táirgí, na seirbhísí agus na graificí gaolmhara seo, lena n-áirítear na barántaí nó coinníollacha indíoltachta go léir atá intuigthe, oiriúnacht le haghaidh críche áirithe, teideal agus neamhshárú.
A mhéad is mó a cheadaítear de réir an dlí is infheidhme, ní bheidh Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó a sholáthraithe faoi dhliteanas, i gcás ar bith, as aon damáistí díreacha, indíreacha, pionósacha, teagmhasacha, speisialta nó iarmhartacha, nó as aon damáistí ar bith, lena n-áirítear, gan teorainn, damáistí as cailliúint úsáide, sonraí nó brabús, a thiocfaidh as nó a bhainfidh, i mbealach ar bith, le láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid nó le feidhmíocht an láithreáin ghréasáin, le moill nó le neamhábaltacht a bhaineann le láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair nó a sheirbhísí gaolmhara a úsáid, le seirbhísí a sholáthar nó le faillí i soláthar seirbhísí, nó le haghaidh eolais, bogearraí, táirgí, seirbhísí agus graificí gaolmhara ar bith a fhaightear trí láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, nó a thagann ar dhóigh eile ó láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid, cibé an mbíonn siad bunaithe ar chonradh, tort, faillí nó diandliteanas nó ar dhóigh eile, fiú má tugadh comhairle do Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair nó d’aon soláthraithe aige go bhféadfadh damáistí a bheith i dtrácht. Tá roinnt stát/dlínsí ann nach féidir dliteanas i leith damáistí iarmhartacha nó teagmhasacha a eisiamh iontu, nó teorainn a chur leo, agus dá bharr sin, tá seans ann nach mbainfidh an teorainn seo thuas leat. Má tá tú mí-shásta le haon chuid de láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, nó le haon cheann de na téarmaí úsáide seo, bheadh sé níos fearr duit scoir de láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid.

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ROCHTAIN A FHOIRCEANNADH/A SHRIANADH

Forchoimeádann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair aige féin, de réir a bhreithiúnais féin, an ceart chun do rochtain ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, ar na seirbhísí gaolmhara nó ar aon chuid díobh seo, a fhoirceannadh, am ar bith, gan fógra. A MHÉAD is mó a cheadaítear de réir dlí, tá an comhaontú seo rialaithe ag dlíthe Stát Washington, Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, agus toilíonn tú leis seo go mbeidh na díospóidí go léir, a thagann ó nó a bhaineann le láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid, faoi dhlínse agus faoi ionad na gcúirteanna amháin atá suite i gContae an Rí, Washington, Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá. Níl cead agat láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid in aon dlínse nach dtugtar éifeacht iomlán ann d’fhorálacha go léir na dtéarmaí agus na gcoinníollacha seo, lena n-áirítear, gan teorainn, an t-alt seo. Aontaíonn tú nach bhfuil aon ghaol comhfhiontair, comhpháirtíochta, fostaíochta nó gníomhaireachta idir tú féin agus Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair mar gheall ar an gcomhaontú seo nó ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid. Cuireann Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair an comhaontú seo i ngníomh faoi réir na ndlíthe agus an phróisis dhlíthiúil atá ann cheana féin, agus níl aon rud sa chomhaontú seo a laghdódh an ceart ag Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, chun cloí le hiarratais nó le ceanglais rialtais, chúirte agus fheidhmiú an dlí, a bhaineann le láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair a úsáid nó leis an eolas a thugtar do Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair nó a bhailíonn sé agus é in úsáid. Má shocraítear go bhfuil aon chuid den chomhaontú seo neamhbhailí nó nach féidir í a chur i bhfeidhm de bhun an dlí is infheidhme, lena n-áirítear na séantaí baránta agus na teorainneacha dliteanais a leagtar amach thuas, agus gan teorainn a bheith leo, measfar go gcuirfear foráil bhailí agus infheidhmithe in ionad na forála neamhbhailí nó neamhinfheidhmithe, atá beagnach an cuspóir céanna aici is a bhí ag an bhforáil bhunaidh agus leanfaidh an chuid eile den chomhaontú de bheith i bhfeidhm. Mura bhforáiltear a mhalairt anseo feasta, is é seo an comhaontú iomlán idir an úsáideoir agus Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair i leith láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus cuirtear é in ionad na cumarsáide agus na dtograí go léir roimhe seo nó comhaimseartha, de ríomhchineál, de chineál béil nó de chineál scríofa, idir an úsáideoir agus Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair i leith láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair. Glacfar le leagan clóite den chomhaontú seo agus le haon fógra a thugtar i ríomhfhormáid mar fhianaise in imeachtaí breithiúnacha nó riaracháin, atá bunaithe ar an gcomhaontú seo nó a bhaineann leis, ar an mbealach céanna, agus faoi réir na gcoinníollacha céanna do dhoiciméid agus do thaifid ghnó, a taifeadadh agus a coimeádadh i bhfoirm chlóite ar tús. Comhaontaíonn na páirtithe d’aon ghnó go ndéantar an comhaontú seo agus na doiciméid go léir a bhaineann leis a leagadh amach sa Bhéarla.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICES:

All contents of the Western Development Commission website are: Copyright 2002-2009 Western Development Commission and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved.

CÓIPCHEART AGUS FÓGRAÍ TRÁDMHAIRC:

Tá na hábhair go léir ar láithreán gréasáin Choimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair faoi Chóipcheart 2002-2009 ag Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair agus/nó ag a sholáthraithe. Gach ceart ar cosaint.

TRADEMARKS

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
The example companies, organizations, products, people and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company, organization, product, person, or event is intended or should be inferred.
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TRÁDMHARCANNA

D’fhéadfadh ainmneacha na gcuideachtaí agus na dtáirgí iarbhír, a bhfuil luaite anseo feasta, a bheith á n-úsáid mar thrádmharcanna ag na húinéirí faoi seach.
Na cuideachtaí, na heagraíochtaí, na táirgí, na daoine agus na himeachtaí a léirítear mar shampla anseo feasta, tá siad bréagach. Níl sé i gceist gaol a chruthú le cuideachta, le heagraíocht, le táirge, le duine nó le himeacht iarbhír nó ní cóir é seo a thuiscint.
Tá gach ceart ar cosaint nach ndéantar é a dheonú d’aon ghnó anseo feasta.

Ger Conran's Winning Photo

They have also announced that an exhibition of the best 100 photos will take place from Friday 21st August to Sunday 23rd August at Merchant’s Hall, 1 Merchant’s Road, Galway. Admission is free and the exhibition is open to the public from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day.

The overall winner is Ger Conran for his photograph of the entire Volvo Ocean Race fleet sailing on Galway Bay during the in-port racing over the weekend of May 30th and 31st. Second place went to Adi Tig, and third place to Ekaterina Petrova for their photographs which captured the fun and entertainment that took place during the festival.

The prizes, digital cameras, were presented by Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at a prize-giving ceremony in Galway.

Minister Ó Cuív said, “The Western Development Commission is keen to promote the creative sector in this part of the country, not just because of the inherent importance of the arts in our nation’s psyche and identity, but because it also has the potential to contribute to the sustainable long-term development of this predominantly rural region. Simply put, it makes economic sense to support creativity”.

Lisa McAllister WDC Chief Executive said, “The WDC was delighted to support the Galway Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race by sponsoring the photo competition as this was a natural fit with our work to position the Western Region as Ireland’s hub for the creative industries. The photo competition and the Creative West Galway Art Trail, which took place in over 20 galleries around Galway during the festival, demonstrate the natural creativity of the Western Region.

Ms. McAllister added, “When international comparisons are factored in the Western Region has the potential to create at least an extra 2,000 jobs in the creative sector. The creative sector refers to those businesses which rely most on human creativity to generate economic value, ranging from TV production, music and theatre to architecture, graphic design and digital media. They are a significant economic contributor to the Western Region and the WDC believes that the sector can be grown considerably, even in these difficult economic times.”

Ms. McAllister said that the Western Region is perfectly positioned for further expansion within the creative sector as the region, by virtue of its natural beauty and quality of life, has long inspired a culture of creativity. She added that the region can continue to attract creative people from all over the world who, from their home in the West, can feed the increasing world appetite for design, music, film, digital media and the arts, and make an important contribution to the region’s economy in the process.

Chairman of Let’s Do It Galway, John Killeen said, “We were delighted that the WDC came on board for the Photo Competition and the Creative West – Galway Art Trail and I’d like to thank them for generating such huge interest in the competition. The stopover was a fantastic success, and partnerships, like the one with the WDC, were an important contributor to the successful staging of Ireland’s largest sporting event. The photographs are a fantastic legacy of the Volvo Ocean Race Festival which saw 650,000 people visit the race village and Salthill during the two weeks.”

From an entry of over 17,000, a short list of 100 photos was drawn up. Marine Sports Photographer, David Branigan then had the difficult task of picking the winner and two runners-up. David selected pictures “to reflect the themes of the Volvo Ocean Race visit to Galway and how this unique event interacted with the city, its people and visitors.”

He added, “The Volvo Ocean Race is referred to as ‘life at the extreme’ where seven boats and their crews battle man and nature for ten months over a course that is more than 37,000 miles long.”

In choosing Ger Conran’s winning photograph of the entire fleet sailing on Galway Bay, David Branigan said that it was an excellent example of good composition and being in the right place at the right time for a sports shot. The picture also shows Ireland’s Green Dragon on the right making a bold move by ducking behind the other boats to win a clean start of the In-Port Race off Salthill.

Second place went to Adi Tig for his photograph of a street performer at the Race Village and Ekaterina Petrova, originally from Russia and now living in Limerick, was chosen for third place for her photo of dancers performing a Brazilian dance. David chose these photos because they are “typical of the fun and entertainment that took place during the festival.”

Marcus Mac Innes, Founder and CEO of Pix.ie said, “The Volvo Ocean Race really captured the imagination of not only the people of Galway, but all those who attended the festival from around Ireland. We didn’t expect anything like the response we achieved and with over 17,000 photos submitted it broke the previous Pixie record by a long way. All the photos remain available to view at http://pix.ie/go/lookwest and have already been seen by nearly a quarter of a million people from over 180 countries around the world making it one of the most visited showcases of Ireland this year.”

Lisa McAllister concluded by thanking people for entering the photo competition and said that the 17,000 plus entries will help communicate the message of what the West of Ireland can achieve, and the many benefits of locating here, to a worldwide audience.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Lisa McAllister, WDC, 086 771 9969
or Joanne Grehan, WDC, 086 856 5802
or Angela Bane, Bane Mullarkey, 087 286 5217

According to Joanne Grehan, “Our most recent research on what we call the ‘Creative West’, highlights what is now Ireland’s hub for the creative industries here in the Western Region. When international comparisons are factored in the Western Region has the potential to create at least an extra 2,000 jobs in the creative sector.”

“We completed a study ‘Creative West: The Creative Sector in the Western Region’, the first study of its kind conducted in Ireland and it showed that there are 4,779 creative businesses operating in the Western Region, directly employing over 11,000 people or 3% of all employment in the region. This generates an annual turnover of €534m and directly contributes €270m to the Gross Value Added of the regional economy. It is therefore a major economic contributor to the region that we believe can be grown significantly, even in these difficult economic times,” she added.

The creative sector refers to those businesses which rely most on human creativity to generate economic value, ranging from TV production, music, theatre, architecture, graphic design to the running of art galleries.

Ms. Grehan concluded, “The Western Region is perfectly positioned for further expansion within the sector as the region, by virtue of its natural beauty and quality of life, has inspired a culture of creativity. We believe the region can continue to attract creative people from all over the world who, from their home in the West, can feed the increasing world appetite for design, music, film, digital media and the arts.”

The Galway Art Trail takes place in the following galleries in Galway:

126 ArtistRun Gallery | Ard Bia at Nimmo’s | Art Essence | Artisan | Artspace Studios | Bold Art Gallery | Cava Spanish Restaurant & Tapas Bar | Engage Art Studio | Galway Arts Centre | Galway Bay Hotel | Geata na Cathrach Building | Herrick Art Gallery | Judy Greene’s Pottery | Mustard Restaurant | Norman Villa Gallery | NUI Galway | NUIG Library | Orla Murray Financial Centre | Providence Market Kitchen | Radisson | Sheridan’s on the Dock | St Nicholas Collegiate Church | The G Hotel | The Kenny Gallery | Town Hall Theatre | White Room Gallery

Conair Ealaíne na Gaillimhe chun aird a tharraingt ar an ‘Iarthar Cruthaitheach’

D’fhógair Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair (WDC) go bhfuil sé chun urraíocht a dhéanamh ar “An tIarthar Cruthaitheach – Conair Ealaíne na Gaillimhe”, a bheidh ar siúl i nGaillimh le linn Fhéile Rás Farraige Volvo ón 23 Bealtaine go dtí an 6 Meitheamh. Tá an WDC ag déanamh urraíochta ar an tionscnamh mar chuid dá chuid iarrachtaí aird a tharraingt ar an ‘Iarthar Cruthaitheach’ mar mhol Éireannach do thionscail chruthaitheacha.

De réir Joanne Grehan, “Léiríonn an taighde is déanaí a rinneamar ar an ‘Iarthar Cruthaitheach’, mar a thugaimid air, go bhfuil Réigiún an Iarthair mar mhol Éireannach do thionscail chruthaitheacha anois. De réir comparáidí idirnáisiúnta, tá ar chumas Réigiún an Iarthair suas le 2,000 post breise a chruthú sa tionscal cruthaitheach.”

“Rinneamar an staidéar ‘Creative West: The Creative Sector in the Western Region’, an chéad staidéar riamh den chineál seo a rinneadh in Éirinn, agus léirigh sé go bhfuil 4,779 gnóthas cruthaitheach ag gníomhú i Réigiún an Iarthair, ag fostú breis agus 11,000 duine nó 3% de na fostaithe uile sa réigiún. Gineann an earnáil seo láimhdeachas bliantúil de €534m agus cuireann sí €270m go díreach le hOll-Bhreisluach an gheilleagair réigiúnaigh. Mar sin, cuireann sí go mór le geilleagar an réigiúin agus creidimid gur féidir a hionchur a mhéadú go suntasach, fiú amháin le linn an mheathlaithe gheilleagraigh reatha,” a dúirt sí freisin.

Baineann an earnáil chruthaitheach leis na gnóthais sin a bhíonn ag brath ar chruthaitheacht daoine chun luach eacnamaíoch a chruthú, idir léiriú teilifíse, ceol, drámaíocht, ailtireacht, dearadh grafach agus reáchtáil dánlann.

Mar fhocal scoir, dúirt an tUasal Grehan, “Tá Réigiún an Iarthair réidh le haghaidh forbartha breise san earnáil seo, mar tá cultúr cruthaitheachta spreagtha ag áilleacht nádúrtha agus cáilíocht beatha an réigiúin cheana féin. Creidimid gur féidir leis an réigiún daoine cruthaitheacha ó áiteanna ar fud an domhain a mhealladh go leanúnach, agus go mbeidh na daoine sin in ann freastal ar spéis mhéadaitheach an domhain i ndearadh, i gceol, i scannáin, sna meáin dhigiteacha agus sna healaíona óna mbailte san Iarthar.”

Beidh Conair Ealaíne na Gaillimhe ar siúl sna dánlanna seo a leanas i nGaillimh:

126 Artist-Run Gallery/Ard Bia ag Nimmo’s/Art Essence/Artisan/Stiúideonna Artspace/Dánlann Bold Art/Bialann agus Beár Tapas Spáinneach Cava/Stiúideo Ealaíne Engage/Lárionad Ealaíon na Gaillimhe/Óstán Chuan na Gaillimhe/Foirgneamh Gheata na Cathrach/Dánlann Herrick/Judy Greene’s Pottery/Bialann Mustard/Dánlann /Norman Villa/OÉ Gaillimh/Leabharlann OÉ Gaillimh/Lárionad Airgeadais Orla Murray/Providence Market Kitchen/Radisson/Sheridan’s on the Dock/Séipéal Coláisteach San Niocláis/The G Hotel/Dánlann Kenny/Amharclann Halla an Bhaile/Dánlann White Room

“It makes economic sense to support creativity”

When international comparisons are factored in the Western Region has the potential to create at least an extra 2,000 jobs in the creative sector according to Gillian Buckley, Chief Executive of the Western Development Commission. Ms. Buckley was speaking at the launch today (16th of February 2009) of the WDC’s report “Creative West: The Creative Sector in the Western Region”, the first study of its kind conducted in Ireland. She added, “There are 4,779 creative businesses operating in the Western Region, directly employing over 11,000 people or 3% of all employment in the region. This generates an annual turnover of €534m and directly contributes €270m to the Gross Value Added of the regional economy. It is therefore a major economic contributor to the region that we believe can be grown significantly, even in these difficult economic times.”

The creative sector refers to those businesses which rely most on human creativity to generate economic value, ranging from TV production, music, theatre, architecture, graphic design to the running of art galleries. Ms Buckley added, “With an average annual growth rate of 8.7% in world trade of creative goods and services, the creative sector will be to the forefront in building Ireland’s Smart Economy in that it offers the opportunity to develop thriving indigenous enterprises. If we are to fully realise this potential we must begin by understanding the current situation in the region and the challenges facing the sector’s future growth. This is why the WDC commissioned this research to investigate the size of the region’s creative sector and to identify the key issues which people working in the sector face”.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. said, “The Western Development Commission is keen to promote the creative sector in this part of the country, not just because of the inherent importance of the arts in our nation’s psyche and identity, but because it also has the potential to contribute to the sustainable longterm development of this predominantly rural region. Simply put, it makes economic sense to support creativity”.

The report shows that creative businesses in the Western Region tend to be small scale. 39% are selfemployed indicating a high level of entrepreneurship among creative people. Typically, these people are highly skilled with a study of the EU showing that 47% of those employed in the sector hold a university degree, which is a significantly higher share than in the general workforce.

Also speaking at the launch was designer and award winning inventor Damini Kumar who has been selected as EU Ambassador for the Year of Creativity and Innovation who said, “I am hoping to stimulate a greater interest in creativity and an appreciation of its role in innovation throughout this Year of Creativity and Innovation especially among younger people. I believe this is critical to the future and growth of the economy.”

In addition to measuring the size of the Western Region’s creative sector, the “Creative West” report also highlights critical issues facing the sector. These include broadband quality, the lack of promotion of the sector, access to export markets, low levels of networking between businesses and the eligibility criteria for certain funding sources. The WDC has engaged with its partners in the sector in the identification of these issues and the report sets out a series of recommendations as to how these can be overcome.

Ms. Buckley concluded, “What we have learnt is that the Western Region is perfectly positioned for further expansion within the sector as the region, by virtue of its natural beauty and quality of life, has inspired a culture of creativity. We believe the region can continue to attract creative people from all over the world who, from their home in the West, can feed the increasing world appetite for design, music, film, digital media and the arts.”