Dr. Deirdre Garvey:

I thank the Chairman for the invitation to attend the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Rural and Community Development. At the inaugural board meeting with the Minister, Deputy Ring, in September 2017 I outlined my approach as chairperson in three key areas. The first is setting the tone and culture, as I hope it will be an effective environment in which we value and respect diverse perspectives and work together for collective decision making in a culture of openness and transparency. The second is setting the strategic direction and the current strategic statement for the commission will guide our decisions. We will also have the opportunity to review it and build on this for a strategic plan for 2019. The commission has already embarked on the planning for its strategic statement for 2019. The third area is governance and I hope to manage the governance responsibilities of oversight and effective control with the operational responsibilities of the executive in a supportive and constructive manner.

As many members know, the remit of the Western Development Commission is set out in the Western Development Commission Act 1998 as being "to promote, and procure the promotion of, and assist in, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region".

The WDC was formed in 1998 as a Government response to intense public pressure to tackle population decline over a number of years. The peripheral location and weak infrastructure resulted in a lack of job opportunities and emigration. While there remains a challenge in creating balanced regional development, there is also great opportunity to develop a sustainable competitive advantage building on the strengths of the region. The WDC has played a significant role in the economic and social development of the region since its formation. It has supported, directly and indirectly, the creation of 5,000 jobs, invested €48 million through the western investment fund, WIF. The WDC has also developed a capability in securing EU funding for critical regional projects. The regional policy and analysis capability has contributed to inform and influence policymaking on the economic and social development of the region. Thewww.lookwest.ieplatform has provided a regional identity and promotes the attractiveness of the region as a place to live and work.

I see the WDC as an integrator and enabler in this region, aligned to national policies and with the potential to contribute to a number of the strategic outcomes of the national development plan 2040. We initiated a strategic planning process in December 2017 and are engaging with national and regional stakeholders. The WDC has identified further regional growth areas supporting our national policies and contributing to the economic and social development of the region. Our objective is to develop a coherent regional approach by working in collaboration with our key stakeholders. There are opportunities to create a competitive and attractive region with the necessary physical and digital infrastructure. The WDC has a critical role in delivering on the national priority of strengthened rural economies and communities.