Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will reply to Deputy Canney's questions on the Western Development Commission, WDC. An enhanced role for the WDC is being developed through its participation in a number of committees, including the implementation committees which oversee the delivery of the Action Plan for Jobs for the west and north-west region, the monitoring committee for the Action Plan for Jobs for rural development and the task force to progress the concept of the Atlantic economic corridor along the western seaboard. The WDC is an active part of the subgroup of this task force which is mapping out the options for EU funding which could support the development of the western region and has also assisted the Department in participating in and reporting on a public dialogue on the implications of Brexit in the thematic areas of rural communities, regional SMEs, culture, the Irish language and heritage and outdoor recreation.

In addition, the WDC is an important part of the wider focus on regional development by the Government which also includes a deeper role in economic development by the local authorities and the regional assemblies. The WDC’s involvement in an increasing number of initiatives such as those outlined above go beyond the role the body has played to date but I am open to a further role for the WDC. I met with the CEO, Ian Brannigan, and the chair of the board, Deirdre Garvey, a couple of weeks ago in Ballaghadereen. They have played a strong role and I know that they can play a further role and I am open to suggestions and ideas for a further enhanced role for the WDC.

Reference was made to the WRAP, Western Regional Audiovisual Producers, fund which was very well received. I had the pleasure of launching that in October last in Galway. The fund was set up through the WDC in conjunction with the Irish Film Centre as well. The fund is worth €2 million and operates in conjunction with local authorities in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. It is funded through the WDC investment fund, which was specified in the Act. The WDC has been able to provide €2 million in funding to help develop the sector. It is part of the Action Plan for Jobs under Action 144 of the Government’s action plan to develop and implement an action plan to support the film industry in Galway and the western region and support the potential for a regional film fund. That is being led by the WDC, the Irish Film Centre and the local authorities. The fund has been very well received by all local authorities in the area and by the sectors. It is hugely important and has great potential. We know the film sector in Galway has a great history and great work is being done at present there and the fund will add to its potential.

The Atlantic economic corridor is being developed through the chambers of commerce in the west. The IDA had a predecessor concept which was known as the western arc. The concept was promoted in the discussions for the programme for Government in which Deputy Canney and Deputy Fitzmaurice were involved and it was taken on board by the Government. The initiative has been led by the chambers of commerce and includes the City and County Management Association, CCMA, the western regional authorities and the southern regional assembly. It was proposed in February 2016. The overarching objective is to maximise the assets of the western region from Kerry to Donegal and to connect the economic hubs, clusters and catchment areas in the region to attract investment, support job creation and contribute to enhanced quality of life for those who live in that region.

I chaired the previous task force and I attended the one previous to that and there were probably one or two meetings prior to that as well which were attended by the Minister, Deputy Ring. It is at an early stage but much work has been done already and there are subcommittees in place for infrastructure and communications and work is being done on websites and promotional videos. Much work is being done with various bodies including universities and institutes of technology. The meeting in Galway took place in NUIG and the meeting prior to that took place in Sligo in the Building Block which is the innovation hub in the centre of the town. I believe the concept has great potential and it is fully supported. We have included it and its role in the national planning framework in the submission we made through this Department and I hope that will be taken on board by the Minister. Any support the committee can give in that regard would be very welcome.