Regional strategy (RSES) · Eastern and Midland Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031
The regional strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region, including the Dublin Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly · June 2019 · 244 pages
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- Tourism This Strategy supports the coordination and promotion of all-island tourism initiatives through continued co-operation between the relevant tourism agencies and Tourism Ireland. This includes support for themed tourism branding bundles linking tourism assets north and south and support for development of blueways and greenways which can offer potential for an enhanced tourism offering throughout the border area including support for longdistance cycling/walking routes which link Northern Ireland and Ireland, see also Chapter 6 Economy and Employment in relation to sectoral opportunities and Chapter 7 Environment & Climate on Green Infrastrcture. Management of Our Environment In recognition that national and other administrative boundaries do not reflect the trans-boundary nature of the environment and its stewardship, this Strategy seeks to ensure effective management of shared landscapes, heritage, water catchments, habitats, species and transboundary issues in relation to environmental policy in cooperation with relevant departments in Northern Ireland. Catchment based strategies require management by both jurisdictions and a number of jointly funded North-South Implementation Bodies have roles and responsibilities in these areas in addition to co-ordination through the North South Ministerial Council. This includes for example the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) which requires Member States to coordinate their efforts in relation to international river basin districts. Additionally, management of all coastal and transitional waters surrounding the island of Ireland requires a coordination approach, as does management of cross-border groundwater and co-ordination of landscape character assessment, habitats and protected sites. 231All Ireland Cohesion
- 11.3 Collaboration with the Southern Region and Northern and Western Region Inter-regional accessibility and cooperation is also central to delivering the overall Growth Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region, for further detail on strategic conections see also Chapter 3 Growth Strategy. Collaboration with the Northern and Western Region (NWR) There are a number of opportunities that enable collaboration with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly area. The strategic location of Athlone, centrally located between Dublin and Galway and partially located in the NWR, offers potential for both regions to work together for economic, social and environmental advantage, particularly through the Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP), maximising its contribution to interregional growth and creating a competitive settlement of sufficient scale to serve the wider area. Longford acts as a strategic portal to the North-West, on the Dublin to Sligo rail corridor that also serves Mullingar and Maynooth. Enhanced rail services on the Dublin-Sligo line including DART to Maynooth, coupled with intended upgrades to the M/N4 route will improve linkages. Dublin to Cavan generally follows the N/M3 route, while development of the cross border A5 route connecting to the N2/M2 will improve connectivity between Dublin and the border counties to Derry and Letterkenny. Sustainable transport options through enhanced development of the Blueway and Greenway networks will further enable strategic connections and heightened collaboration for the benefit of the tourism industry. Increased recreational use of the Grand Canal, completion of the Dublin to Galway Greenway which is designated as a trans-European Eurovelo Route and increased recreational use of the Royal Canal as part of a Dublin to Westport Greenway, will improve northwest connectivity. 232 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Collaboration with the Southern Region (SR) There are a number of avenues that facilitate collaboration with the Southern Region to ensure mutual benefit. Strategic linkages between Dublin and Cork allows the maintenance of a physical connection between the two largest cities in the state including the Dublin to Cork rail corridor, part of the EU TEN-T core network, which aims to protect and enhance strategical international connections between Belfast, Dublin and Cork. This rail corridor also provides commuter rail services to the Dublin hinterlands and the RSES supports a feasibility study for the provision of high-speed rail links between Dublin and Limerick/ Junction Cork. Likewise, linkages between Dublin and Rosslare Europort are supported as is the importance of inter-regional national routes such as the N80. There is potential to promote sustainable transport links between the Grand Canal, the Barrow Line and to further develop the Barrow Blueway connecting Carlow- Graiguecullen on the boundary with the Southern Region and extending south to Waterford. This also supports an improved and consolidated approach to tourism development. This Strategy also supports cooperation through soft measures that allow for the management of growth strategically for long term benefit in terms of economic and social development and environmental quality. This includes collaborative initiatives such as the ‘All Ireland Smart Cities Forum’ and cooperation with higher and further education institutes, including at local levels, such as Laois and Offaly ETB with Carlow IT. CASE STUDY: Regional Collaboration in Environmental Assessement of RSES Having regard to the trans-boundary nature of the environment, a cross regional Environmental Management Team was established to ensure consistency across the three regions in the preparation of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Regional Flood Risk Assessment (RFRA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) to inform the development of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES). During the iterative environmental assessment process regional project teams worked closely together to examine potential growth scenarios and the range of environmental issues to be considered at national, regional and cross sectoral level while also allowing for different approaches and local responses by the regions. The process was supported by evidence and mapping tools such as the National Environmental Sensitivity Mapping (ESM) Webtool. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVE: All Ireland Approach RPO 11.1: In co-operation with relevant departments in Northern Ireland, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, and where appropriate in association with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, will support mutually beneficial policy development and activity in the areas of spatial and infrastructure planning, economic growth and related spheres. 233All Ireland Cohesion
- 12 Implementation & Monitoring 12.1 Introduction The primary objective of the Strategy is to support the implementation of the National Planning Framework and the economic policies and objectives of the Government by providing a twelve year long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the Region. The success of the Strategy depends on its policy and programme delivery at national, regional and local level. Implementation of the Strategy requires streamlined governance arrangements and focused public capital investment priorities. The RSES must be reviewed within 6 years of its adoption. Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs) for the RSES are set out in the preceding chapters and are in accordance with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development and the economic policies and objectives of the Government. Some of the key mechanisms included in the Strategy to support its implementation include a Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP), to facilitate improved coordination and delivery of strategic sites in Dublin’s Metropolitan Area, and a development framework which sets out the context for the preparation of core strategies in local authority development plans, with which they must be consistent. The RSES will also directly influence the content of Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) which must be formulated in accordance with the regional framework set out in the regional strategy, thereby providing for further implementation of national and regional policy at local level. 234 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- 12.2 Legislative Background The preparation, review and monitoring of the RSES, which replaces the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) 2010 – 2022, is underpinned by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Local Government Acts. Section 23 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 states “The objective of regional spatial and economic strategies shall be to support the implementation of the National Planning Framework and the economic policies and objectives of the Government by providing a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the region for which the strategies are prepared which shall be consistent with the National Planning Framework and the economic policies or objectives of the Government.” The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly commenced the statutory process of the formulation of the RSES in 2017 and the strategy was made by the elected members on June 28th 2019. 235Implementation & Monitoring
- Consistency with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy Section 27 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires that a planning authority shall ensure, when making a development plan or a local area plan, that the plan is consistent with any regional spatial and economic strategy in force for its area. Under the Act, regional assemblies are obliged to prepare submissions or observations in relation to the making of, and variations to, local authority development plans stating whether, in the opinion of the Regional Assembly, the development plan, and in particular its Core Strategy are consistent with the RSES in force for the area of the development plan. If, in the opinion of the Regional Assembly a development plan and its Core Strategy are not consistent with the RSES, the submission or observations and report shall include recommendations as to what amendments, in the opinion of the Regional Assembly, are required to ensure that they are consistent. Section 44 of the Local Government Reform Act (2014) includes a requirement that a Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) shall be consistent with any Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy as well as the core strategy and the objectives of the development plan of the local authority concerned. Local authorities are required under the Local Government Reform Act to submit a draft LECP to the Regional Assembly for consideration and the Assembly is required to adopt a statement on the draft LECP. Monitoring the Strategy The following monitoring and reporting arrangements are required by legislation to measure progress: • Public bodies under Section 22A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, and each local authority within the Regional Assembly are required, every 2 years, to prepare and submit a report to the Assembly setting out progress made in supporting objectives, relevant to that body, of the Strategy. • The Regional Assembly is required, every 2 years, to prepare a monitoring report to monitor progress made in implementing the Strategy. This report shall specify the progress made in securing the overall objectives of the regional spatial and economic strategy, including any specific actions and outcomes, including actions specific to public bodies identified in legislation. The EMRA will submit its monitoring report to the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) for consideration and the NOAC may make recommendations to the Minister in relation to relevant measures to further support the implementation of the Strategy. • Public bodies are required to assist and co-operate as far as practicable in implementing the Strategy. • In accordance with Article 10 of the SEA Directive, “monitoring will be carried out in order to identify, at an early stage, any unforeseen adverse effects due to implementation of a plan, and to be able to take remedial action.” Measures to monitor significant environmental effects of the implementation of the RSES are included in Chapter 7 of the SEA Statement. These arrangements will be supported by the Corporate Plan for the Regional Assembly and the annual Program of Works, both of which will be approved by the members of the Regional Assembly. 236 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- 12.3 Implementation Implementation of the Strategy will be focused on policies, actions and investment to deliver the Regional Strategic Outcomes (RSOs) set out in the Strategy. Review of City and County Development Plans Within the Eastern and Midland Region there are a total of twelve city and county development plans with varying review periods. Mechanisms intended to ensure that there is an efficient and effective process of alignment between all the levels of spatial planning in our planning process, from national to regional and to local have been provided for in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018. This either suspended or deferred county development plan processes, or requires plans to commence variation or review within six months of the making of the RSES in order to ensure alignment with national and regional policy. These provisions mean that all city/county development plans will be subject to review during 2019/21, and broadly aligned to address a six-year period to 2026/27. It is expected that all local area plans, including those to replace town plans, will be similarly brought into alignment during or immediately after the 2019-21 development plan review period. In the interim, any amendments or reviews of local area plans (LAPs), particularly in urban areas, need to clearly reflect the approach and direction of the NPF and RSES. Local economic and community plans will also need to be reviewed further to approval of the RSES, although review of city and county development plans should take precedence in the work programmes of local authorities. RSES Implementation Group EMRA will establish an RSES implementation group that will meet on a regular basis to review implementation of high level policy objectives and progress towards achieving identified Regional Strategic Outcomes of the RSES. The Implementation Group will comprise cross sectoral representation operating at a sufficiently strategic level to provide an over-arching view and to drive funding and collaboration opportunities in the Region. The Group may also provide strategic guidance on any issues that affect the effective implementation of the Strategy and in relation to any proposed amendments of the Strategy. Implementation of MASP The Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan is a key policy tool for the consolidated growth of Dublin. The MASP has been prepared in conjunction with the constituent local authorities and a number of stakeholders, who will be critical in the delivery of the RPOs. An implementation group will be formed consisting of the organisations who assisted in the delivery of the MASP to oversee and drive implementation of the MASP for Dublin. 237Implementation & Monitoring
- Funding Implementation Project Ireland 2040 (PI 2040) Resources and Funding The launch of Project Ireland 2040 links planning and investment for the first time in Irish history through simultaneous publication of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, to provide for Government policy and investment to facilitate social and economic progress in the coming years. The total investment of almost €116 billion under the National Development Plan (NDP) is designed to meet Ireland’s infrastructure and investment needs over the ten years from 2018 to 2027, with strategic investment priorities aligned to each of the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) in the NPF. The National Development Plan provides for five-year multi-annual capital allocations, which will facilitate departments78 in planning their investment programmes over the medium term. There is also a shift towards integrated regional investment plans, stronger co-ordination of sectoral strategies and more rigorous selection and appraisal of projects. A number of key structures have been put in place to ensure implementation of the NDP and NPF, including: • A high-level Delivery Board of the Secretaries General from key departments to monitor and oversee the implementation and performance of NDP and NPF delivery. • An Investment Projects and Programmes Office (IPPO), which has been established in DPER to drive value-for-money reforms in areas such as project appraisal and selection. • The Construction Sector Group (CSG), comprising industry bodies, who are working to develop capacity and skills in the construction industry, to enable delivery of PI 2040. • The Land Development Agency, which has been established to coordinate the use of State-owned lands for regeneration and development – primarily for new housing. • The PI 2040 Investment Projects and Programmes Tracker and online mapping tool MyProjectIreland to provide key updates on the progress of priority projects. • The four NDP funds; focussed on Rural, Urban, Technology and Climate Action; with the first round of successful applications announced in 2018. 78 Lead departments include DHPLG, DBEI, DTTAS, DRCD, DAFM, DCCAE, OPW, commercial SOEs, DCYA, DES, DH 79 http://gov.ie/en/urban-regeneration-and-development-fund/ Rural, Urban, Technology and Climate Action Funds A major innovation in the reformed funding model for the National Development Plan is the establishment of four funds to drive the delivery of specific core priorities detailed in the NPF, that are subsequently translated into the RSES. The four funds, which will be allocated resources amounting to an estimated €4 billion over the 10 year period of the National Development Plan are the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund and the Climate Action Fund. The funds are designed to stimulate renewal and investment in rural and urban areas, the environment and innovation and will complement other investment and funding opportunities outlined as part of the National Development Plan from Exchequer Funding Accounts and non-Exchequer State backed enterprises and bodies. There is also a significant focus on the environment with €22 billion allocated to tackling and dealing with climate change across transport, energy and commercial State agencies. A key objective of the funds will be aligning with and achieving the National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) outlined in the National Planning Framework and the Regional Strategic Outcomes outlined in the RSES. Urban Regeneration and Development Fund As part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government announced the establishment of a new Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), primarily to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities and other large urban centres. In the first instance, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG) has responsibility for implementing the URDF, which has an allocation of €2 billion in the National Development Plan (NDP) to 2027. In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Fund is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built ‘footprint’ of our larger settlements. Within the EMRA Region the Urban fund applies to Dublin City and the Metropolitan Area, the Key Regional Growth Centres of Athlone, Dundalk and Drogheda, towns with a population of more than 10,000 and Trim (as a town of fewer than 10,000 people but with more than 2,500 jobs). Further details on the types of proposals eligible for funding are outlined in Circular FPS05/2016 issued by the DHPLG79. 238 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
- Rural Regeneration and Development Fund As part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed to providing an additional €1 billion for a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund80 over the period 2019 to 2027. The Fund provides investment to support rural renewal for suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. It is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This Fund aims to support sustainable community and economic development in rural Ireland, including through regenerating smaller towns and villages and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation to support job creation in rural areas. It will be a key instrument to support the objectives of the National Planning Framework, and in particular to achieve Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities – one of the NSOs of the NPF. The Fund will support ambitious and strategic projects which contribute to sustainable rural regeneration and development. It will support investments of scale which would not otherwise be delivered without the additionality provided by the Fund, and projects that are outside the scope of existing schemes. Climate Action Fund The Climate Action Fund81, under the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, aims to support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets which will leverage investment by public and private bodies. The Fund has an allocation of at least €500m over the period to 2027 and offers the potential for innovative interventions which, in the absence of support from the Fund, would not otherwise be developed. The Climate Action Fund is planned to have a wide-ranging scope supporting projects that can contribute to Ireland’s climate and energy targets and wider Government policy priorities, including the development of innovative and scalable solutions, projects that generate wider socio-economic benefits and leverage non-exchequer sourced investment. 80 https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-regeneration-development-fund/ 81 https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/CAF%20Call%20for%20Applications.pdf Disruptive Technologies Fund The Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a significant new initiative which aims to support Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and to drive collaboration between public bodies, research, SMEs and industry. The DTIF is a competitive challenge-based fund for the development, deployment and commercialisation of innovative technology solutions to a broad range of challenge areas including health, services, energy and food and to achieve the NSOs of the NPF. The Fund has an allocation of €500m over ten years and is implemented through the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) and its agencies working with other research funding bodies. The aim of the DTIF is to build on research and leverage for commercial impact, create new startup companies and prepare Irish enterprises and public bodies to engage in European and global innovation partnerships. 239Implementation & Monitoring
- Other Investment Mechanisms Outside of the funding mechanisms provided for under Project Ireland 2040, the following organisations provide potential funding opportunities for delivery of the RSES: European Funding Programmes Europe 2020 Strategy is the European Union’s (EU) agenda for growth and jobs, emphasising smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as a way to overcome the structural weaknesses in Europe’s economy, improve its competitiveness and productivity and underpin a sustainable social market economy. By ensuring good policy alignment, the RSES can drive investment that is targeted towards identified priorities at European, national, regional and local scale, assisting local authorities and others in identifying partnership opportunities and leveraging funding from EU Regional Operational Programmes. EU funding and investment priorities will be revisited post 2020 and EMRA will seek to ensure continued policy alignment with EU policy. Ireland Strategic Investment Fund The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), managed and controlled by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), is an €8.9 billion sovereign development fund with a statutory mandate to invest on a commercial basis in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment in Ireland. The fund has a long investment time horizon and therefore can act as a permanent or patient source of long-term capital and drive innovation across multiple industry players to develop and deliver innovative opportunities that might otherwise go unrealised. European Investment Bank and Council of Europe Development Bank The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union’s bank representing the interests of the European Union Member States and working closely with other EU institutions to implement EU policy. The EIB provides finance and expertise for sustainable investment projects that make a significant contribution to growth and employment in Europe. The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank that provides financing and technical expertise for projects with a high social impact, to promote social cohesion and strengthen social integration in Europe. The CEB contributes to projects in areas including sustainable and inclusive growth and developing climate action adaptation and mitigation measures. Enterprise Funding Schemes Enterprise Ireland is the state agency responsible for supporting the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, providing a range of enterprise funding and supports from high potential startsups through to large companies and to assist college-based researchers to commercialise researched technologies. The €60 million Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017- 2020 aims to drive enterprise development and support job creation by co-financing collaborative projects by a range of enterprises and public bodies, including local and community enterprise initiatives, innovation and technology partnerships and enterprise-led Industry Clusters. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is an innovation pre-commercial procurement initiative, which supports small and emerging businesses by providing early-stage funding and a route-to-market for smart technology solutions to identified public sector challenges. Enterprise funding and business supports are also available from other development agencies such as the local enterprise offices. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: Implementation of the RSES RPO 12.1: Following adoption of the RSES EMRA will establish a RSES implementation group to oversee progress on the implementation of the RSES and to identify opportunities to drive regional development and leverage new funding, partnership and collaboration opportunities in the Region. RPO 12.2: Following adoption of the RSES the EMRA will establish a RSES implementation group to oversee progress on the implementation of the MASP for Dublin. RPO 12.3: The RSES will support local authorities in promoting compact and sustainable development and in future proofing our cities and towns through the drawdown of investment funds including national, rural, urban, technology and climate funds, through EU Regional Operational Programmes and other internal and external collaborations and partnership opportunities. RPO 12.4: The EMRA supports smart growth initiatives that develop new solutions to existing and future urban challenges, including climate risks in the Region and will support local authorities in the draw down of climate and smart technology funds. 240 Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy
Source Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019–2031 (June 2019) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.