Contact NWRA
Northern & Western Regional Assembly
Dillon House, Ballaghaderreen
Co. Roscommon
F45 WY26
Ireland
+353 (0) 94 986 2970
New Report Calls For More Support For SMEs in the North and West
- Chairperson of the NWRA, Cllr Christy Hyland has led calls for Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar to consider these findings.
- Northern and Western Region, only region in Ireland classed as a, moderate innovator
- SMEs in the North and West slowest to recover from impact of Covid-19
It is imperative that any new National Research and Innovation Strategy adopts a regional approach and considers the strategic priorities, according to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA), at the launch of its new toolkit on innovation titled “Innovation Diffusion in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland; A Regional Approach.”
Why is this important? According to David Minton, Director with the NWRA; “It’s simple; the goal, at least in business, is to convince the most individuals possible to embrace a new product, service or idea. If the consumer accepts the notion that a product, service or idea is innovative, they’re more likely to engage with the product as it diffuses (or spreads) through the marketplace. As policy makers our job is to remove barriers to this and stimulate regional activity”.
This report was prepared as part of an OECD project to develop a self-assessment toolkit for barriers to regional innovation diffusion that aims to provide policy makers a tool to assess strengths and weaknesses of innovation diffusion channels in their regions.
The degree to which a region’s economy can grow depends on a variety of factors – including but not limited to – the ability to create an environment that supports and harnesses the potential of research and innovation.
Commenting on the report’s release, Stephan Raes, Policy Analyst with the OECD, said: “This pilot study of innovation diffusion in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland benefited from close cooperation with the NRWA and active participation by stakeholders in the region. This provided valuable insights on how the region benefits from the contributions of its small, family-owned firms up to its cutting-edge companies and innovative universities and on how the region’s intermediaries play in actively supporting the diffusion of knowledge and administering policy instruments such as innovation vouchers.”
The EU’s 2021 “Regional Innovation Scoreboard” shows that the Northern and Western Region is now the only region in Ireland to be classified as a “Moderate Innovator”. Within this context, it is clear that the research and innovation capacity of the region needs additional resources to stimulate the economy and assist in its recovery following the economic impact of COVID-19 and Brexit.
Patrick Devine, with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) said that “that innovation diffusion in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland functions well, and interestingly slightly better than in Ireland as a whole. This is down to a spirit of real cooperation. However, we do have distinct challenges, particularly relating to digitalisation of our SMEs and the rate of cluster and sectoral alignment.”.
This was captured in a new report published shortly after the recent announcement of the new Atlantic Technological University.
John Daly, Economist with the NWRA, noted that “A region’s research and innovation system plays a critical role in improving productivity levels, fostering competitiveness and creating and attracting high value jobs to regions”.
In welcoming the publication, Devine said that “Earlier this year, we welcomed the support received by the OECD and the European Commission to develop a new toolkit that would allow regional policy makers to implement an up-to-date assessment of bottlenecks for innovation diffusion, both in our region but also elsewhere. It is imperative we address the structural weaknesses underpinning our moderate innovator status”.
Denis Kelly, Senior Planner with the NWRA said that “It is clear that research and innovation will be instrumental to achieving effective regional development in Ireland. With that we have identified investments to underpin a new model for regional innovation and entrepreneurial training. Significant opportunities exist to exploit and build on existing investments in data analytics, digital innovation hubs, regional accelerators and enhanced supports to our SME’s”.
Kelly went further on the findings of the report, acknowledging that “as a region we need to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into commercial applications. Our new
Technological University is at an embryonic stage and needs a wider research footprint with more scope to engage directly with local and regional business, industry and enterprise stakeholders”.
During the research, many stakeholders underlined the need for better functioning clusters in various technology areas between Higher Education Institutes, research institutes, large and small business and start-ups, most of which was emphasised as a key driver for innovation diffusion and productivity growth.
The NWRA aims to use this toolkit as a way of recognising the challenges that exist within the innovation ecosystem, but to identify opportunities for improving policy in collaboration with regional stakeholders. Chairperson of the NWRA, Cllr Christy Hyland has led calls for Minister Simon Harris to consider this as part of the new National Research and Innovation Strategy.
Download the Report
NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative will be key to implementing the RSES
- NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative will improve transport connectivity in the region
- To what degree it will fully address the region’s transport challenges remains to be seen
- Further regional and local transport proposals will be required to address these issues
The NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative aims to improve transport connectivity across Ireland, particularly for people living outside of our major cities and towns. Recently, the NTA closed its public consultation on the regional and local transport corridors that would be supported under the “Connecting Ireland” initiative. At a high level, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly in its submission welcomes the transport proposals that have been outlined in this initiative.
According to John Daly, Economist with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly:
“The regional and local transport corridors that will be supported under the NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative will likely improve transport accessibility, frequency and the quality of transport services within the Northern and Western Region. The provision of accessible, frequent, high-quality and affordable public transport services throughout the region will be key to simultaneously supporting the vision and objectives of the RSES of the Northern and Western Region and transitioning the region to a low carbon economy.”
Notwithstanding these positive proposals, the challenges of the Northern and Western Region’s transport system are quite significant and wide ranging, and further proposals will be required to address issues relating to regional transport accessibility, frequency and capacity.
According to Denis Kelly, Assistant Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly:
“Based on the latest data, residential dwellings based in the Northern and Western Region are – on average – 3.8km from a public bus stop, which was notably higher compared to the State average of 2.6km, with this ratio much higher for counties such as Donegal where residential dwellings are – on average – 13.5km away from a public bus stop. Furthermore, in this region people generally live close to a transport option with infrequent daily services – with 50% living close to a transport option with less than 10 daily departures, compared to the national average 32%.”
Furthermore, John Daly, Economist of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly noted that:
“Considering the scale of these challenges, the NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative should “Positively Discriminate” towards the region, by providing additional regional and local transport services that will address problems relating to the accessibility, frequency and capacity of the region’s transport system. For example, the NTA’s “Connecting Ireland” initiative should ensure that more than 70% of those living outside of Galway City in the Northern and Western region will have – at minimum – access to a public transport service that provides at least three return trips each weekday to a nearby town. The initiative should also aim to improve the capacity of our bus fleets, the number of available drivers, the quality of waiting facilities, interconnectivity between the Galway Metropolitan Area, our Regional Growth Centres and Key Towns, while significantly reducing resident’s reliance on private car journeys”
Download our Submission to the National Transport Authority’s Connecting Ireland Consultation
Offshore wind energy crucial to economic recovery in the Northern and Western Region
- The “Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme” key to revitalising the region’s economy
- The region is uniquely positioned to support the growth of Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector
- “Community Benefit Funds” should not be managed by a national body
Recently, the Government closed its public consultation on the first “Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme”, with this forthcoming scheme key to supporting the future growth of Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector. In this consultation, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly has highlighted how this scheme has significant potential in revitalizing the Northern and Western Region’s economy, which has been struggling in recent years as evident from the European Commission’s decision to downgrade the region’s economy.
According to John Daly, Economist with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly:
“The region is well placed to capitalize on the potential of this support scheme. The Northern and Western Region’s onshore wind energy sector already accounts for over a third of Ireland’s installed wind energy capacity which – relative to the size of the region’s population and economy – is quite large, highlighting the presence of transferable and relevant expertise. Furthermore, the region has an array of ports – such as Killybegs, Galway Port and Ros an Mhíl – which have the potential to either act as staging ports during construction of offshore wind energy projects or to serve as operational and maintenance bases”.
To capitalize on this potential and ensure the “Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme” supports balanced regional development, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly has made several recommendations that it feels need to be reflected in the final terms and conditions of the scheme.
According to Denis Kelly, Assistant Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly:
“The offshore wind energy sector is a key future growth sector for the region’s economy and its imperative that the scheme incorporates a number of safeguards to support balanced regional development. For example, there should be a role for each of the three Regional Assemblies of Ireland in managing their own region’s offshore “Community Benefit Funds” – as opposed to the suggested model of the fund being managed by a national body – while all offshore developers that submit a bid should also be required to provide evidence as to how their project will support the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy”
Furthermore, John Daly, Economist of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly noted that:
“Successful applicants in the scheme should also be required to provide regional employment and training provisions – maximizing the job impact of these projects within our regions – while all operation and maintenance services need to be located in ports on the island of Ireland. Such measures – along with potential funding through the EU’s Connecting Europe Funding Facility – would be key to ensuring the growth of Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector simultaneously supports our transition to a low carbon society, while also supporting balanced regional development”
Download our submission to the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme
NWRA Assist Irish Partners secure over €1.2m Interreg Funding.
In a response to a ‘Bridging Call’ which was launched by the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme in August of this year, 13 Irish organisations including Public, Private and non-profit bodies have successfully secured funding for an additional 15 projects worth over €1.2m.
The projects have a range of innovative goals, from turning marine waste into an alternative to plastic, to the use of augmented and virtual reality, for the reconstructions and digital restoration of cultural and heritage sites for museums. Bridging projects are preparatory projects funded by the current programme (2014 – 2020), targeting main projects in the future programme.
Commenting on the projects, Patrick Devine from the NWRA said ‘all the successful projects in this call have two common characteristics, Sustainability and the utilisation of digital technologies in their Implementation’. The projects demonstrate how the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and its stakeholders continue to strive as a Smart Region, capitalising on emerging opportunities and market developments in order to build a competitive advantage by developing and matching research, digital technologies and innovation strengths to business and community needs.
These projects play an important role in implementing the Regional Policy Objectives set out in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies prepared by the Regional Assemblies. Mr Minton, Director of the NWRA commended the strength of the project proposals and says that ‘those within the northern and western region shall ensure the region continues to grow as a Smart, innovative and sustainable region.’
The Irish Organisation that have been successful in securing funding are:
- Western Development Commission
- BIA Innovator Campus CLG
- Mayo County Council
- European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology (ERNACT)
- Munster Technological University
- SCCUL Enterprises CLG
- Údarás na Gaeltachta
- Waterford Institute of Technology
- Cork County Council
- NCE Insulation Ltd.
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- Central Solutions Ltd. (Limerick)
- Trinity College Dublin
For more information on the Interreg NPA Programme, and upcoming calls for the new programme, visit https://www.interreg-npa.eu/ or contact the NPA Regional Contact Point for Ireland, Patrick Devine ei.ar1733964294wn@en1733964294ivedp1733964294
Next phase of O’Connell Street works to start early in New Year
This is the second phase of a project which commenced with a pedestrian priority zone at the heart of Sligo town
Thanks to the EU, the historic street has more space than ever, creating a more accessible and attractive town centre for pedestrians and local businesses alike.
The enhancements have transformed the street with newly widened pavements, landscaping and street furniture – the result is a beautiful town thoroughfare that retains all of its original charm.
Additionally, the enhancements help reduce town centre traffic congestion and offers accessible parking for disabled visitors.
The works also benefited the iconic businesses that O’Connell Street is renowned for, which now have allocated service bays and increased pedestrian footfall.
The project targets sustainable urban development as part of integrated plans to tackle economic, environment, climate, demographic and social challenges which affect the urban area of Sligo.
Now the contract has been signed for phase two of the project and work on this phase will start early next year.
David Minton, NWRA Director, was present at the official signing of the contracts event.
Funding for phase 2 of the project comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The Northern and Western Regional Assembly are the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund in this region.
Phase 2 consists of approximately 180m of existing roadway and footpaths along O’Connell Street, Lower Knox Street, Hyde Bridge, Fish Quay and Wine Street in Sligo. It is envisaged that the new street scape provided in Phase 1 will continue from O’Connell Street in both an easterly and westerly direction to Wine Street and lower Knox Street respectively. Works will also extend along Fish Quay towards the entrance of the Glass House Hotel.
This approach will provide a seamless transition from one street to another, further adding to the pedestrian experience.
The works involve the construction of widened footpaths using granite paving and the narrowing and resurfacing of the existing roadways. The works incorporate the construction of a new surface water drainage network and connection to the existing network, the construction of new ducting infrastructure for utility services, and the provision of road markings, street furniture, and signage.
The Project will provide an upgraded junction at Wine Street/O’Connell Street/Lower Knox Street incorporating new controlled pedestrian crossings.