Professor Cathal O'Donoghue:

I can give feedback on the first element in terms of the spatial strategy. It is not specifically tied to the creative industry, but the view of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, CEDRA, is that the strategy was relatively weak on areas outside hubs and gateways. It was strong on growth centres, but many people are living in small or medium-sized towns and wider rural areas. One of the reasons for the establishment of CEDRA, and the preparation of the report, was the weakness in many of our policies on those dimensions, so a stronger focus is required.

Recognising that while economic growth may occur naturally, particularly in growth poles like the cities, people choose with their feet, and over the past decade, substantial numbers of them have moved out of cities into towns. They live there and so our strategy needs to reflect those needs. They are relatively young people, often with negative equity. These towns and surrounding areas have issues that will exist into the future with varying opportunities and challenges. It is important for the national spatial strategy to recognise those differences.