Regional strategy (RSES) · Northern and Western Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032
The regional strategy for the Northern and Western Region, including the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Northern and Western Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 320 pages
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- PLACE g To ensure that all firms within the region have the chance to thrive, not just the largest ones. g To ensure that healthcare and childcare within the region are widely accessible and affordable across the region. g To ensure that the region is a great place to work remotely/off-site. g Our RSES coordinates infrastructure, housing, and transportation investments, creating areas of opportunity and enhancing existing city, towns, villages and communities. g This region offers a range of quality housing choices that meet the diverse needs and preferences of all residents. g To ensure housing that is affordable, across markets, is widely available, and in particular to sustain and attract new talent. g Our region efficiently uses, reuses, and conserves its natural resources by managing waste and optimising technologies that promote a circular economy. RESILIENCE g To ensure the region’s population has the appropriate skill sets to be able to adapt to the future of work, and ensuring that on-going transformations in the world of work do not widen divides. g To invest in our workforce, particularly our young people, develop our future workforce and ensure all of our people benefit from economic activity. g Focusing on an outcome that has a diverse economy and skilled workforce that support businesses, innovation, and entrepreneurship g People have access to job opportunities that support a good quality of life and financial stability. g Transportation infrastructure promotes effective goods movement and is wellconnected to other national and international destinations. g The region adopts systems, policies and networks that are resilient and adaptive to economic downturns and environmental challenges emerging. g In this strategy, we have integrated overarching environmental regional policy objectives as goals to be followed throughout the planning process.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 251 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- TALENT The region’s skills base is a key determinant of its economic performance. Skills development and training in the region need to be more closely aligned with the requirements of businesses and enterprises, taking full account of the future needs of a knowledge economy. Businesses also need to play a greater role in contributing to the region’s schools, colleges and universities, to generate aspirations for the future working population of the region and to encourage interest in the region’s growth sectors. Recent examples of this joined-up approach include innovative approaches by the West and Border Skills Forum and the teams behind Action Plan for Jobs West, North West and North East. Restructuring in the rural economy presents particular challenges because of the limited range of employment opportunities available to local communities and the urban concentration of learning facilities. Many of the most educated young people, particularly in the more peripheral rural areas, leave in search of better employment opportunities. Innovative ways of developing learning communities could provide a platform for up-skilling the rural workforce. Many of the region’s coastal communities exhibit similar issues and problems to the rural parts of the region – narrow economic base, the dominance of low skills employment and limited access to training provision. Changing the aspirations of local communities and employers will be necessary to underpin the development of a more dynamic and knowledge-based economy. This is not just about new industries but also about the transformation of the existing economic base, and more importantly the way people think. This can be useful in that it provides us with an understanding of where precisely those with higherskilled jobs are located. What is immediately clear, and unsurprising, is that higher concentrations of persons within this cohort are located closer to our larger towns and cities.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 252 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- Figure 63: Pobal Deprivation IndexNorthern & W estern Regional Assembly 253 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 7.1 Support the co-ordination of employment skills and support in the region through the alignment of needs as identified by the Regional Skills Fora to include facilities and opportunities for disadvantaged areas and groups in the community. RPO 7.2 Support disadvantaged communities facing particular barriers to employment, including actively marketing vacancies that are relevant to them. RPO 7.3 Through constituent LCDCs promote vocational and occupational programmes and pathways for progression to a career. RPO 7.4 Support the implementation of the STEM program in Irish Education out to 2026. RPO 7.5 Ensure that the requirements of emerging sectors are reflected in the regional skills needs and resourcing. RPO 7.6 Support and promote the growth, development and success of the Connacht- Ulster Alliance consortium’s ambition towards becoming a Technological University serving the west and north-west. RPO 7.7 Support the provision of third level education facilities in the Cavan/Monaghan subregion (where the lack of 3rd level education is most pronounced) and in Roscommon and Leitrim. CASE STUDY CONNACHT-ULSTER ALLIANCE The Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) was established by the three Institutes of Technology of Galway, Letterkenny and Sligo in July 2012, through the signing of a formal MoU. It is envisioned that the Connacht-Ulster TU will be a complementary and stabilising factor in the communities it serves. It will be a key producer of work-ready graduates in collaboration with employers; a key partner and driver of research and innovation; and a key attractor of investment to the region and in the retention of such investment. It will build on its current position as the national leader in blended education that combines traditional methods of delivery with state of the art online and distance learning. It will also be a provider of education to more mature learners, a nexus of continuous professional development and the leading centre for life-long learning.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 254 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- 7.3 Healthy Places A healthy environment contributes to a healthy population. By taking a whole- system approach to addressing the many factors that impact on health and wellbeing and which contribute to health inequalities, and by empowering and enabling individuals and communities to make healthier choices, it will be possible to improve health outcomes, particularly for the next generation of citizens. Communities that are designed in a way that support physical activity, such as generously sized footpaths, safe cycle lanes, safe attractive stairways and accessible recreation areas, all encourage people to make healthy choices and live healthier lives. Countries with extensive cycle infrastructure report higher levels of cycling and lower rates of obesity. Healthy places, in turn, create economic value by appealing to a skilled workforce and attracting innovative companies. Regular physical activity improves our health and reduces our risk of numerous chronic conditions. As children, it supports our healthy development, and in adulthood, staying active may help to reduce physical and mental limitations. Recreation and amenity facilities contribute to the quality of life of the communities they serve. The provision of facilities that cater to the demands of an increasing population and which are accessible to all sectors and age groups is a key component in the creation of successful sustainable communities. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 7.8 To support the implementation of the objectives of Sláinte Care, including the development of a Single Tier Health Service, and the advancement of Primary Care Centres in our Urban Places. RPO 7.9 Promote the provision of high-quality, accessible and suitably proportioned areas of public open spaces and promote linkage with social, cultural and heritage sites and buildings. In this process prioritise access for walking and cycling. RPO 7.10 Support the Health Service Executive and other statutory and voluntary agencies and private healthcare providers in the provision of healthcare facilities to all sections of the community, at appropriate locations, with good public transport links, parking and accessible facilities. RPO 7.11 Support the objectives of public health policy including Healthy Ireland and the National Physical Activity Plan and the National Obesity Plan through integration with planning policy.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 255 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- 7.4 Age Friendly It is important to assess the needs of an ageing community. Equally important is to maintain a good quality of life for people as they grow older by implementing better management of resources to provide facilities required. In tandem with the above, age-friendly also means the younger sections of society. As more people live longer lives, they will want to stay healthy and independent, live in their own homes and communities and keep to a minimum their use of in-patient and out-patient hospital services. Government policy is to support older people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. In providing a more seamless and appropriate continuum of housing choices with appropriate supports for older people and a built environment that is attractive, accessible and safe, older people will be supported and motivated to enjoy more active, healthy and connected lives and to age confidently and comfortably in their community. The ‘Age-Friendly Ireland’ Initiative provides leadership and guidance in identifying the needs and opportunities of an ageing population and is embedded within the local government system, which, with support from Government, is best placed to respond to change at a local level including the principles of universal design. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 7.12 Ensure local planning, housing, transport/ accessibility and leisure policies are developed with a focus on meeting the needs and opportunities of an ageing population and people with disabilities and younger persons. RPO 7.13 Aim to make this region an Age-Friendly one by working with constituent Planning Authorities and recognising the demographic challenges that face the region and ensure the provision of suitable facilities and services at appropriate locations. RPO 7.14 The Assembly supports the specific designation of lands in development plans for nursing homes and sheltered housing, whilst ensuring these facilities are integrated within the communities they serve.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 256 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- 7.5 Childcare, Education and Life Long Learning Access to affordable and high-quality childcare is an essential requirement for an equitable society, a thriving economy and sustainable communities and is a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure. Childcare provision in Ireland is reaching capacity and new planning approaches and sustained investment will be required, particularly in areas of disadvantage and population growth, to increase capacity and enable existing services to meet regulatory and quality requirements. Investment in high-quality, affordable childcare (including schoolage childcare) and in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is critical both as an educational support for children and as a prerequisite of job creation and labour market participation. Education has been critical to Ireland’s transformation over recent decades. Education, training and life-long learning are key enablers, around which personal fulfilment, a fair society and a successful nation revolve. All are central to sustaining economic success and building strong communities. In knowledge-based economies, education underpins growth as it is the main driver of technological innovation and productivity. Accessing a high standard of education is a priority now and in the future, having a major impact on people’s quality of life. A lack of skills and competencies limits access to good jobs and economic prosperity, increases the risk of social exclusion and poverty, and may hinder a full participation in civic and political affairs. In the Higher Education sector, the development of Connacht-Ulster Technological University has the potential to deliver a greater opportunity to our students across the region. By creating an institution of scale and strength, the multi-campus technological university will bring greater social and economic benefits to the region and the delivery of a broad range of high-quality education and training in each campus. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES: RPO 7.15 Encourage multi-agency approaches for delivering the health, social care, education and community services needed by growing, diverse or isolated communities.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 257 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- 7.6 Housing – Supplying Homes for Growing Communities Homes are both the places where we live and the foundation stone from which wider communities and their quality of life is created. We need to promote a better balance between housing supply and demand in the region. There is a projected total regional requirement to provide housing for between 160,000 and 180,000 additional people to 2040. This will involve not only delivering the number of homes needed, but matching it with high-quality transport, jobs, social and environmental infrastructure and services to make this growth sustainable and fit for purpose. However, in all cases, quality means integration between jobs, homes, other community facilities such as schools and health service and cultural, heritage and leisure assets. Residential design needs to transition from traditional density led residential development as an indicator to one where integration with other land uses is given weight. Speed and quality of construction are both goals in themselves but they have to be tempered with timely provision of other services which improve quality of life. The supply and location of jobs and homes must be aligned. This includes providing homes that are affordable and accessible to house the region’s labour force, and the provision of land and premises that meet the needs of current and future businesses, including for smart design and orientation that meet current and future energy efficiency demands. Delivery of high-quality places rests with the construction industry, planning authorities and other public agencies working in partnership, and at all times engaging local communities in the development of ideas and plans.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 258 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- The long-term vision for Ireland’s housing future aims to balance the provision of good quality housing that meets the needs of a diverse population, in a way that makes our cities, towns, villages and rural areas good places to live now and in the future. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 7.16 Ensure that appropriate policies are outlined in development plans to deliver housing in the areas and quantities identified in this Strategy. RPO 7.17 Ensure that the housing delivered meets the needs of the community in terms of social, affordable, private and sheltered in both urban and rural areas. RPO 7.18 Support the development of housing to meet the population targets in this strategy using as wide a variety of funding mechanisms as possible including regeneration funds, Part V, direct public funding and Public/Private Partnerships. RPO 7.19 Support the provision of lifetime adaptable homes that can accommodate the changing needs of a household over time. RPO 7.20 Increase population living within settlements, through a range of measures including reductions in vacancy, re-use of existing buildings, in-fill development schemes, area or site-based regeneration, service site provision and increased building heights appropriate to the settlement, together with infrastructure provision.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 259 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
- Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032260 7 Growth Ambition 4: Quality of Life - Inclusive Region
Source Northern and Western Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032 (January 2020) · 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.