Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 121

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 113 Mullingar Business Activity and Clustering There are over 1,410 active businesses within 5km of Mullingar, employing over 5,050 people from the town itself and from the wider region. 28% of these businesses are in less conventional sectors, where emerging business clusters can often be found. These include Engineering, ICT, FinTech, Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing and R&D. Indeed, many companies in these sectors, both indigenous and international, who have located here have done so in order to avail of the excellent research and collaborative opportunities made available through the IMR and the availability of talent. Professional and public services, manufacturing and construction and a growing tourism sector, comprise the town’s other key industries and supplement its broad commercial base of activity.

2. Page 122

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 114 5.5 Educational Trends The population of Westmeath are relatively well-educated, with over 36% of them having completed a course ranked as a Level 6 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications. Almost 8% of the population have attained a Masters level course (Level 9), which again reinforces the perception of Westmeath as a county with a highly skilled and educated workforce. Higher educational attainment levels are linked with higher employment rates. 24.6 per cent of persons (i.e. 13,978) within the County are educated to third level (honours bachelor’s degree or higher). The advancement of AIT as a leading third level education provider, being named Institute of Technology of the Year 2020 and also soon to gain Technological University status, is expected to enhance these figures over the coming years. 5.5.1 Knowledge Sectors The 2016 Census identifies the fields of study by the regional population. In the case of Westmeath there are three clear knowledge sectors: • Social sciences, business and law (6,640 – 12%) • Engineering, manufacturing and construction (5,234 – 9%) • Health and welfare (4,722 – 8%) Table 5.4 illustrates the fields of study of the Westmeath population (over 150). Figure 5.5 compares county data with that for Athlone and Mullingar. Table 5.4 Westmeath population aged 15 years and over by field of study

3. Page 123

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 115 Figure 5.5 Westmeath, Athlone and Mullingar population aged 15 years and over by field of study 5.5.2 Athlone - Education and Research Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) is a vibrant, contemporary third level institute committed to academic excellence in teaching, learning and research. AIT is also home to three strategic research institutes in Materials, Bioscience, and Software - along with two Technology Gateways (APT and COMAND) - which drive market-informed research in collaboration with industry partners. Home to 6,000 students AIT offers 200+ industry-focused programmes on a full and part-time basis. It has the authority to award at PhD level in the areas of Microbiology, Toxicology, Polymer Engineering and Software ICT. The Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, the institute's campus business incubator, provides incubation facilities and business development support for knowledge-based start-ups. AIT is currently in the process of achieving technological university designation which will leverage the Midlands region and ensure its continued growth and success. AIT works closely with local businesses to achieve innovation and ensure industry areas are reflected in course content. It has repeatedly secured prestigious accolades including ‘Institute of Technology of the Year’, and the U-Multirank award for being within the ‘Top 25 Performing Universities in the World’. 5.5.3 Mullingar - Advanced Manufacturing Research Mullingar is home to IMR or ‘Irish Manufacturing Research’. IMR is an independent not-for-profit manufacturing and industrial research organisation focused on delivering solutions to advanced manufacturing challenges. IMR demystifies, de-risks and delivers solutions for and with industry, with support from government and academic partners, to make Ireland a world leader in advanced manufacturing operations such as 3D printing, collaborative robotics, AR, cyber security, manufacturing informatics, and sustainable manufacturing. IMR aims to improve productivity, efficiency and outcomes in applied manufacturing applications.

4. Page 124

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 116 Manufacturing industries are faced with significant paradigm shifts with the advent of the 4th industrial revolution. The introduction of game-changing ways to design and manufacture products such as additive manufacturing, industrial IoT, and others coupled with a continuous drive for sustainable manufacturing requires focused collaborative research to allow companies embrace these technologies. 5.6 Commuting in Westmeath There are 55,793 commuters in Westmeath. Table 5.5 below outlines travel patterns including journey times for commuters within County Westmeath. Table 5.5 Commuting in Westmeath An analysis of POWSCAR data for Westmeath provides an indication of the hotspots of employment and education. The image below offers a visual representation of this data, with darker shaded Electoral Divisions (EDs) those where there is a significant number of inward commuting taking place. Athlone East has the highest number of inward commuters, with over 9,000 travelling to this ED for work, school or college. Mullingar North sees the second highest number of daily commuters, with 6,433 persons travelling to this ED. Adjacent EDs in both towns also provide the following four highest zones of commuting.

5. Page 125

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 117 Figure 5.6 Westmeath Powscar Analysis of commuting 5.7 Policy Context 5.7.1 Overview The increasing importance afforded to economic development by the government is reflected in the suite of policies and programmes which have developed in recent years at a national and regional level. Each of these policies and programmes are integral to the broader policy system which aims at driving economic growth and sustaining better standards of living throughout Ireland. A ‘top-down approach’ to enterprise development is provided at a national level under Enterprise 2025 Renewed, whilst in contrast to this, a ‘bottom-up approach’ is set out at a regional level under the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 in terms of its strategic objectives and the delivery of same by way of collaborative engagement, additionality and the delivery of measurable actions.

6. Page 126

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 118 Figure 5.7. Policy system aimed at driving economic growth and sustaining better standards of living throughout Ireland Source: Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation 2019, Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020, p.5. 5.8 National Policy Context 5.8.1 Enterprise 2025 Renewed Enterprise 2025 Renewed is Ireland’s national enterprise policy document and sets out a ‘Top Down’ approach aimed at increasing economic growth and sustaining better standards of living nationally. The RSES sets out ‘Key national economic priorities in Enterprise 2025 that set the parameters for the development of the RSES growth strategy include to; 1) increase the emphasis on developing Irish owned enterprises, embedding resilience in our enterprise base, enhancing productivity and delivering quality jobs (including supporting companies to navigate their way through Brexit). 2) harness the distinctive characteristics of foreign and Irish owned enterprise mix through collaboration and clustering. 3) place a spotlight on innovation and talent and leverage strengths in disruptive technologies so as to achieve our ambition with more enterprises developing new products, services and solutions to compete effectively against international competition. 4) realise the full potential of the Regions through investments in placemaking - developing places that are attractive for business investment and for people to live and work.

7. Page 127

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 119 5) develop international relationships and strengthen economic diplomacy to raise Ireland’s visibility, protect Ireland’s reputation and provide opportunities for our enterprises’. 5.8.2 National Planning Framework 2040 (2018) The National Planning Framework 2018 (NPF) identifies Enterprise, Skills and Innovation Capacity as a strategic investment priority. The NPF also provides national strategic outcomes which are of relevance and inform regional and local policy as follows: The NPF sets out a ‘Twin Strategy’ which identifies the importance of both the scale of concentration of activity and the relative distance, or ease of accessibility, to larger centres of population and employment (i.e. ‘centres of scale’). A key element of the NPF is compact growth and the distribution of future growth, in combination with building scale and accessibility. 5.8.3 National Development Plan 2018 - 2027 The National Planning Framework (NPF) provides the framework for the government’s capital expenditure in alignment with the National Development Plan (and the RSES) under the umbrella of Project Ireland 2040. Government Departments are required to align their spending plans over the coming years with the ambition and desired outcomes set out in the NPF. This will be achieved through effective governance and coordinated implementation, ensuring prioritisation of investments that deliver impact and value for money, taking account of regional development objectives and realities. The four Project Ireland 2040 funds, comprising the Climate Action Fund, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, will have a collective budget amounting to an estimated €4 billion over the tenyear period of Project Ireland 2040. Each of the four funds has been established to pursue distinct objectives, which must also be aligned with the strategic investment priorities and the National Strategic Outcomes of Project Ireland 2040. A Strong Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills (NSO 6) Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities: Promoting new economic activities arising from digital connectivity and indigenous innovation and enterprise as well as more traditional natural and resource assets (e.g. food, energy, tourism underpinned by the quality of life offering) (NSO 3)

8. Page 128

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 120 5.8.4 Future Jobs Ireland 2019 Future Jobs Ireland 2019 is part of a multi-annual framework which gives effect to national enterprise policy objectives and leverages all policy areas which relate to job creation and labour force participation, talent development, enterprise growth, innovation and competitiveness and transition to a low-carbon economy are on the agenda for the Country’s future enterprise and economic needs. 5.9 Regional Policy Context 5.9.1 Eastern and Midlands Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (2019) The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) contains an Economic Strategy that builds on the identified strengths of the region and seeks to sustain a strong economy and support the creation of quality jobs that ensure a good living standard for all. The RSES integrates spatial and economic policy and sets out a number of Regional Strategic Outcomes (RSOs) which will assist in informing and guiding spatial policy and the economic growth of the region. This is to be achieved by: • building a resilient economic base by means of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship; • developing and enhancing regional accessibility and connectivity; • providing a regional framework for collaboration and partnerships; • improving education skills and social inclusion; and • the promotion of creative places. The RSES ensures that investment is targeted towards identified policy and objectives by way of its alignment with European and National policy. The key elements of the growth strategy identified within the NPF and RSES, which establish the baseline for the economic development strategy for Westmeath include: Regional concentration toward cities and some regionally important larger settlements. A Strong Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills Sequential provision of infrastructure with some critical infrastructure in place to promote investment A comprehensive approach to rural fabric supporting sustainable growth and reversing decline

9. Page 129

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   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 121 In terms of Economic Development, the RSES highlights that Athlone has a particularly high ratio of jobs to resident workers with significant in-commuting and employment in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, pharma and agri-food. The planned development of a creative and innovation hub and co-working space on the Main Street offers a further opportunity to drive enterprise development and entrepreneurship in the town. It highlights the Upper Shannon Erne Future Economic Project provides the opportunity to deliver cross regional economic projects, as well as synergy with the nearby flagship Centre Parc’s holiday village and investment by the Local Authority in tourism and recreational infrastructure. The RSES highlights that Mullingar operates as a strong economic driver covering a relatively wide catchment, with opportunity to capitalise upon and augment the high ratio of jobs to resident workers. It is considered that the economic role of Mullingar can be supported by realising the potential of the existing IDA presence and property, advance development of high quality enterprise and employment zones including existing business parks; and support and promotion within sectors such as engineering and ICT, consumer products, financial services, shared services (multi-lingual), R&D, robotics and advanced manufacturing. Recognition of the settlement’s potential for tourism and eventing is also supported. 5.9.2 Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 Midlands (2019) The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) prepared by The Midlands Regional Steering Committee under the auspices of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation supersedes the Midlands Regional Action Plan for Jobs (2015–2017). This Regional Enterprise Plan complements national level policies and programmes emanating from the ‘top-down’ and, there is strong alignment with Ireland’s national enterprise policy, Enterprise 2025 Renewed and the Future Jobs Ireland initiative. The diversification of rural economies is an important objective of Project Ireland 2040 and this is supported in the REP. It includes several Strategic Objectives which are relevant to the economic development of Westmeath. • Ensure that the Midlands is well positioned to address the challenges posed by the transition to a low carbon economy and renewable energy. • Strategic Objective 3 Position and support the Midlands as an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence. • Strategic Objective 4 Enhance the collective offering of the Midlands as a place to live, work, and invest in. • Strategic Objective 5: Strengthen the attractiveness of the Midlands as a destination to visit. • Strategic Objective 6: Harness the potential of the food and beverage industry in the Midlands. • Strategic Objective 7: Ensure the availability of skills and talent to realise the region’s economic potential and address upskilling requirements.

10. Page 130

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    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMPLOYMENT 5 Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 122 5.10 Local Policy Context Westmeath Local Economic and Community Plan (WLECP) Economic development at a local level is addressed in two statutory plans i.e. Westmeath Local Economic and Community Plan (WLECP) and Westmeath County Development Plan (CDP). The Westmeath Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 (LECP) is an integrated statutory plan that is reviewed and adopted by the Council every 6 years. The County Development Plan informs the content of the LECP, and the content of the LECP must be consistent with the Development Plan. In this regard, both plans are interdependent in setting out the strategic vision for the economic growth of the County, accompanied by supporting policies and objectives to be employed in securing this vision. The Mission Statement of the LECP is ‘To enhance the well-being and quality of life of the people of Westmeath through sustainable economic and community development’. At the core of the Plan are key principals of working for the public interest, efficiency, sustainability, consultation, equality and human rights. The action plan sets out a range of integrated collective actions to secure sustainable economic and community development in the county. The Plan consists of two parts: • An economic element - to be developed by the Economic Enterprise and Tourism Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). • A community element – to be developed by the Westmeath Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). The LECP provides a mechanism for all local agencies involved in economic and community development to link their strategies and plans and to combine investment and resources to achieve a common agreed objective. The Goals of the Plan are set as follows: • Goal 1: Economic Development To create employment opportunities through sustainable economic development in Westmeath. • Goal 2: Integrated Economic and Community Development To secure sustainable economic and community development through the maximisation of educational opportunities and the provision of essential social and physical infrastructure. • Goal 3: Community Development To secure the creation of vibrant communities in County Westmeath through community development and quality of life initiatives. 5.10.1 The Westmeath Local Enterprise Office The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own businesses. Its objective is to promote entrepreneurship, foster business start-ups and develop existing micro and small businesses to drive job creation and to provide accessible high quality supports for business ideas. The focus of the LEO is with businesses who employ 10 or less employees. In the first instance, the LEO provides a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports. The LEO can also offer

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