The West Regional Authority was established in 1994 and covers an area of 13,801 square kilometers including the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. It coordinates public services and endorses national plans and policies while addressing regional challenges such as rural depopulation resulting from declines in agriculture. The Regional Planning Guidelines set strategic policies around social infrastructure, community development, agriculture and local products. An example of good practice is the regeneration of the small town of Kiltimagh in County Mayo, which saw population and economic growth through a three phase process of developing infrastructure, enterprises, training and tourism products such as festivals and a sculpture park.

1. West Regional Authority
GRISI PLUS
Presenter: Mary Molloy
Toulouse, France
February 2012

2. West Regional Authority
at a glance
Public Body set up on a statutory
basis 1st January 1994
4 Local Authorities: County
Galway; Galway City; County Mayo;
County Roscommon
Area: 13,801 sq km
Population: 444,991 (census 2011)
Characteristics: Rural with < 50%
living in the urban area
GNP per Capita: €32,234

3. West Regional Authority
at a glance
 Co-ordination of Public Services in the region
 Endorses consistency and compatibility
with the Programmes, Plans & Policies of
National Government
 Concerned with challenges which other regions of
the EU encounter
 Example: The decline in Agriculture & the lack
of Rural Diversification resulting in de-population
in rural areas of the region
 The West Region is always interested in
collaborating and exchanging experiences to
provide solutions to these challenges

4. West Regional Authority
Issues, Challenges & Rural Development
 Current economic downturn resulting in outward
migration, of mainly young people
 100,000 will leave Ireland annually
 Decline in Agriculture, Mariculture & the lack of
Rural Diversification has led to de-population in
rural areas
 Galway City is the largest population centre,
putting pressure on its rural hinterland
 Smaller towns have not grown to sufficient
population levels as there has been a preference
for single houses in the countryside

5. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
European Spatial Development Perspective 1999 European Directives; Conventions & Agreements
↓↓↓↓↓
National Spatial Strategy 2002 Other National Strategies/ Plans/ Guidelines
(e.g. National Development Plan, Policies and programmes of Government
Departments, Capital Programmes, Planning Guidelines, Urban & Village Renewal
Programmes, Serviced Land Initiative)
↓↓↓↓
Regional Planning Guidelines 2010 Other Regional/ Local Level Plans
(e.g. Capital Programmes, Regional Waste Management Plan/Strategy, River Basin
Management Plan)
↓↓↓
County, City & Town Development Plans County Development Board Strategies, Corporate Plans
(e.g. Galway City Development Plan, Roscommon County Development Plan) (e.g. Galway County Development Board Strategy)
↓↓
Local Area Plans
(e.g. Tuam Local Area Plan)
↓

6. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
 One Strategic Policy focuses on Social
Infrastructure & Community Development in
the West Region:
 The Authority will continue to promote
community development throughout the region
and foster social inclusion across Local
Authority services
 Promote the creation of a network of thriving
towns & villages
 Sets out policies to improve the quality of life
for individuals and groups in rural communities
 Will facilitate & promote the concept of “place
making”

7. Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-2020
Sets out the aims for the West Region through Strategic Policies
 Another Strategic Policy emphasises the role
of Agriculture and promotion of Local
Products in the West Region:
 The Authority will promote the production of
high value foods
 Promotes Organic Farming
 Set out policies that encourage the
establishment of a network of farmers markets
most particularly in the rural towns & villages
 Promotes the diversification of products in the
West Region

8. Example of Good Practice:
Regeneration of a Small Rural Town
West Region – Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
“Against the Tide”
 1096 (2006 census of population)
 1000 (2002 census of population)
 917 (1996 census of population)

9. Aerial view of Kiltimagh

10. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh Co. Mayo
 Problems in 1988
 Unemployment & Underemployment
 Economic Stagnation
 Population Loss-75% Emigration
 Deprivation- 40% Derelict Buildings
 No Investment in Business
 Regular Business Closures
 Low Income Levels

11. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
 The Handicaps
 No Natural Tourism Products
 Poor Land
 Small farms
 Lack of Proper Infrastructure
 Little Industrial Employment
 Relative Poverty
 Few facilities & Amenities
 Derelict Townscape

12. West Region: “Against the Tide”
Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
 Process 1998 to date
 3 Phases:
 Set up a Corporate Structure
 Improve Streetscape & Housing
 Enterprise Development incl. An International
Trade Centre with Fibre Optic Broadband
 Training Facilities & Educational Programmes
 Create New Tourism Products e.g. Festival
Development
 New Amenities e.g. Sculpture Park
 Funding: Private, National & European

13. Festival Development

14. Sculpture Park

15. Results – “Against the Tide”
 550 extra jobs
 Growth in population - 10.7% increase
 30.2%Annual Economic Activity Increase
 €10million Community Owned Assets
 New Businesses/Services & Amenities established
 400 people trained in programmes directly provided
by IRD Kiltimagh
 30,000 people including groups from Ireland &
Europe have visited Kiltimagh in order to replicate
success
 www.ird-kiltimagh.ie

16. Thank you for listening