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West Cork Development Partnership. David Tuohy. Republic of Ireland. National Picture. 4,585,400 population 70,273 km 2 66 people per km 2 High Population concentration around Dublin Emerging urban influence Heterogeneous population. The Irish economy is small and highly open.
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West Cork Development Partnership David Tuohy
National Picture • 4,585,400 population • 70,273 km2 • 66 people per km2 • High Population concentration around Dublin • Emerging urban influence • Heterogeneous population
The Irish economy is small and highly open Gross Value Added at Factor Cost by Sector of Origin: 2012
Rural Development Policy in Ireland • Ensure a competitive agri-food sector by boosting innovation, added value and consumer focus; • Address structural problems in the agricultural industry and the need for on-farm capital investment; • Support agriculture in its provision of public goods; • Enhance the environment & biodiversity; • Build on the success of existing environmental measures; • Recognise the economic dimension of environmental support and the significant role it plays in supporting a multi-functional farming system; • Address local needs, boost the quality of life in rural areas and promote the creation of micro-enterprise.
West Cork West Cork
Area Characteristics • 100,000 population • 3000 km.² • 350 km coastline • Fragmented settlement pattern • Different Geographic & Demographic Contexts • Heterogeneous population • Emerging urban influence • Changing structure of Local economy
Current Challenges • Infrastructure development • Reliance on Agri-output • Poorgeographic dispersal of enterprise activity • Externalities/macro environment • Development pressure on coastal & peri-urban areas • Distance from & access to markets
Vital Themes • Education • Broadband + Digital Services • SME Empowerment • Community Building • Profiling & Branding
Education • West Cork Future Skills Needs Research • 3rd level outreach • Community Computer training
Broadband + Digital Services • Mixed quality • Affordability key challenge • Mixed terrain and dispersed, low population density • Amazon example
SME Empowerment • Business Development Training • Focus on Strategy and Innovation • Clustering and enhancing networks
Community Building • Future West Cork • Strong, parochial community spirit in West Cork. Extremely resilient • Community Led Local Development v. Top Down
Profiling & Branding • Fuchsia Brands - 1998 • “Achieving competitive advantage through the use of the area’s unique image & identity”