West Cork Development Partnership David Tuohy

Republic of Ireland

National Picture n 4,585,400 population n 70,273 km 2 n 66 people per km 2 n High Population concentration around Dublin n Emerging urban influence n 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 n Ensure a competitive agri-food sector by boosting innovation, added value and consumer focus; n Address structural problems in the agricultural industry and the need for on-farm capital investment; n Support agriculture in its provision of public goods; n Enhance the environment & biodiversity; n Build on the success of existing environmental measures; n Recognise the economic dimension of environmental support and the significant role it plays in supporting a multi-functional farming system; n Address local needs, boost the quality of life in rural areas and promote the creation of micro-enterprise.

West Cork

Area Characteristics n 100,000 population n 3000 km.² n 350 km coastline n Fragmented settlement pattern n Different Geographic & Demographic Contexts n Heterogeneous population n Emerging urban influence n Changing structure of Local economy

Main Focus Points n Strong image, profile & identity n Diversity of landscape, culture & heritage n Natural Resource Base n Environment/Quality of Life n Attractive towns & villages n Proximity to Cork city n Community/voluntary participation

Current Challenges n Infrastructure development n Reliance on Agri-output n Poor geographic dispersal of enterprise activity n Externalities/macro environment n Development pressure on coastal & peri-urban areas n Distance from & access to markets

Vital Themes n Education n Broadband + Digital Services n SME Empowerment n Community Building n Profiling & Branding

Education n West Cork Future Skills Needs Research n 3 rd level outreach n Community Computer training

Broadband + Digital Services n Mixed quality n Affordability key challenge n Mixed terrain and dispersed, low population density n Amazon example

SME Empowerment n Business Development Training n Focus on Strategy and Innovation n Clustering and enhancing networks

Community Building n Future West Cork n Strong, parochial community spirit in West Cork. Extremely resilient n Community Led Local Development v. Top Down

Profiling & Branding n Fuchsia Brands n “ Achieving competitive advantage through the use of the area’s unique image & identity”

Branding West Cork

Thank You