Local Economic and Community Plan U P D ATE ON P R OGR ES S IN D - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Local Economic and Community Plan U P D ATE ON P R OGR ES S IN D EVELOP IN G AN D CON S U LTIN G ON TH E P LAN

Background/ Context  The aim is to prepare the Local Economic and Community Plan.  Preparation of a Socio-Economic Framework for the Plan based on data available nationally, regionally and locally.  Agreement to a set of indicators against which progress in meeting High Level Targets will be reached.  Identification of areas of the County facing deprivation or highlighting significant variation in relation to any of the indicators cited.  Roll out of a consultation programme comprising consultations with LCDC members, key stakeholders and wider community representation.

High Level Targets  Em ploym ent Currently 64.1% of 20-64 year olds are in employment The national target is to increase this to 69-71% in employment by 2019  Research and Developm ent / Innovation 2.2% of the EU GDP (Public and Private combined) to be invested in R&D/ Innovation  Clim ate Change / Energy Reduce greenhouse gases emissions to a level 20% lower than in 1990 Increase the percentage of energy from renewables from 6.4% in 2011 to 16% To bring about a 20% increase in energy efficiency  Education Currently 10.6% of the school age population leave early The national target is to reduce this to below 8% Currently 49.4% of 30-34 year olds have completed third level education The national target is to increase this to at least 60%  Poverty / Social Exclusion Currently 277,000 people experience continuous poverty The national target is to have at least 200,000 less people living in continuous poverty

Timescale/ Progress on the Plan  Individual consultations with LCDC members – May/ June  Publication of a public notice of the purpose of the Plan in May seeking public submissions and advising of online survey – closing date June 30  Notification to a list of key stakeholders of the public submissions and online survey and deadlines May  Notification to wider list of community and voluntary groups and their networks of Plan process May  Publication of a list of area based meetings in local press to consult with communities on the needs of their areas (at least one in each Municipal District) by end of June  Focus groups organised with key target groups / networks to obtain more detailed views from specific interests re priority needs June/ July/ Septem ber  LCDC Workshop on results from research and consultation to discuss Thematic Approach for Plan Sept/ October

Timescale for collation of results  Initial stakeholder and public consultations by end July 2014  Clarification of data sources, agreement on indicators and analysis of research for plan complete by end July 2014  Completion of socio-economic analysis including smaller area analysis by end Aug 2014  Analysis of priorities, needs of specific target groups and areas from consultations and public submissions by end Aug 2014  Report on Socio Economic profile and needs identified based on both desk research and consultations to LCDC for September 2014  Stakeholder consultation event to finalise Plan priorities in Autumn 2014

Consultation Meetings and Focus Groups  Consultation morning with staff of NUIG in conjunction with Galway City Council  3 consultations with Local Learning Networks – North Galway/ North Connemara/ South-East Galway – 2 more to be done September  8 evening area consultations complete by end June  Consultation with Older People’s Council  Consultation with Family Resource Centres (5)  Consultation with Intercultural Forum members  Consultation with Travellers and Traveller organisations  Consultation with LGBT individuals and groups  Consultation with men involved in Men’s Sheds  Consultation with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Returns from Public Submissions and online survey  Public submissions are invited until June 30 th  Submissions have already been received from a range of organisations from Angling organisations, to Irish language organisations – approx 20 to date  Submissions also suggest additional research and sources of data to include.  Over 50 online surveys completed to date  An overview of the submissions, surveys and consultations undertaken will be available for a future Committee meeting.

Some Preliminary Results from Consultations Local Learning Networks North Connem ara North East Galway Strengths Strengths  Formal collaborative network which build on  Locally based options existing informal networks.  Network has potential for coordination of  The availability of clear information in North training options through collaboration, Galway audit. sharing and support.  Information sharing  Community radio  Career planning and individual guidance.  Access to local funding  Opening up of dialogue and decision making  Community interest in interaction process.  Local knowledge  Facilities (Portable I.T, Laptops, Building and  Skilled tutors available locally equipments, community based.)  GMIT resource - Letterfrack facilities.  Resources (woodwork rooms, kitchens, metal works)  Pre development programmes- stepping stone to accreditation of further education.  Established programmes and services that can be built on.  GRETB- Have premises and programmes catering for all ages and at all levels up to  Skilled and qualified staff. FETAC level 6.  Skilled and committed volunteers.  Strong community development approach to  Certification- QQI/ City of Guilds. delivery of education and training.

Some Preliminary Results from Consultations Local Learning Networks North Connem ara North East Galway Challenges Challenges  Engaging the learner’s group with the  Need more local/ community development lowest education levels and literacy approaches. difficulties.  All learning aid education moving toward a  Sparce/ spread out population  solely employment focus. This is not suitable Transport issues  Need for more short full time courses. for many.  Childcare- particularly for the  Division between rural and urban. unemployed.  Infrastructure issues.  Lack of community crèche in Clifden.  Flexibility about numbers (Small numbers  Long-term unemployed and underemployed. in small areas.)  People have to be one year unemployed to  Attendance (Finance to participate in work with, or avail of services. decentralisation programmes)  Meeting the needs of learners- a broader  Long term unemployed have the lack of range of courses. motivation to change.  Facilities and equipment for the practical  Make guidance services more effective in courses.  Setting up a community kitchen rural areas .  Changing the perceptions of traditional  Make the course suit the learners. education.  Adult literacy guidance need to be available in the evening.

Some Preliminary Findings from Area Based Meetings Loughrea Electoral Area Strengths  Development/ Branching of area/ East  South East Galway archaeological and Galway historical society- Portumna and  History of people of East Galway East Galway.  Development of Agricultural sector  Development of Slieve Aughty- Yeats/ Lady  Proper planning/ deal with rates issue Gregory- Yeats 2015 Celebrations,  Parking changes  Built heritage, local knowledge/ folklore  Film area promotion  Loughrea Cathedral/ Kiltartan Gregory  Development of local abattoirs Museum.  Introduce co-op movement  Recognise the Lady Gregory Yeats Trail ( ref:  Improve horse breeding industry www.ladygregoryyeatstrail.com )  Development of boating activity in Portumna/ East Gaklway  Train service to area to link the Lady  Signposting needs to be improved. Gregory Yeats trail into the Wild Atlantic Way.  More networking among community groups in electoral areas.  Marketing our area.  Shannon airport.  Get coach tours to stay in the area.  Village layout.

Some Preliminary Findings from Area Based Meetings Loughrea Electoral Area Challenges  Cost of signage, licences,  Flooding, drainage, clearing communication with NRA on rivers e.g. at Ballylee/ Dunkellin. M18 and M6  Development of tourist facilities  Signs on downgraded roads- e.g. and promotion of same needed: Lough Derg (Portumna exit) Boating on the Shannon, marketing on new roads. beaches.  Job creation- local jobs, non  Walking trails and maps- commuter towns. promotion of cultural heritage.  IDA- relevant training.  Upgrading of sports facilities e.g. swimming pools.  Infrastructure- Lack of cycling  Accessibility of paths buildings/ entrances/ paths.  Lack of signage for tourists  Establishment of a green way.  Insufficient broadband and mobile network.