Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Western Development Commission Funding

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to give further funding and functions to the Western Development Commission; her further plans to extend its geographic remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27285/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Western Development Commission was established in 1999 to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, defined as the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. The Commission has achieved a lot for the region since its establishment. However, there have also been a number of important policy and operational developments at regional level in recent years, including the introduction of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs process and the enactment of a statutory role for the Local Authorities and the Regional Assemblies in local and regional economic development. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentincludes a specific commitment to reinforce the role of the WDC so that it continues to play an important role in light of these developments in the Government’s efforts to achieve more effective regional development across the country.

In this context, the WDC has been involved in an increasing number of initiatives, some of which go beyond the role the body has played to date, and which can develop its potential further.

For example:

- The WDC is represented on the Implementing Committees which oversee the delivery of the Action Plans for Jobs for the West and North-West regions.

- The body is also represented on the Monitoring Committee for the Action Plan for Rural Development. The WDC is assisting my Department, as part of a sub-group of the Monitoring Committee, in developing indicators to measure the impact of the Action Plan on rural communities.

- The Commission is also represented on a new Taskforce to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor along the western seaboard. The WDC has been involved in a sub-group of the Taskforce which is mapping out the options for EU funding which could support the development of the Western region.

-The WDC has also assisted my Department in participating in, and reporting on, a public Dialogue on the implications of Brexit for areas such as rural communities, regional SMEs, culture, the Irish language, and heritage and outdoor recreation.

There are no plans at present to extend the geographical remit of the WDC and any increase in funding would be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process. However, my Department will continue to work with the WDC and draw on its expertise to support the economic and social development of the Western region.

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