The Western Development Commission, which was established in 1998 in response to the widening gap in economic and social decline in east and west, “is now more than ever of increasing importance,” according to county manager Peter Hynes.
At the monthly county council meeting on Monday, Joanne Grehan, regional development executive with the WDC, gave a presentation in which she outlined the key objectives of the commission. Ms Grehan said that with 71 per cent of the population in Mayo living in rural Ireland that the role of the WDC is important in analysing national policy from a western perspective and identifying areas where employment can be generated.
Ms Grehan said that two areas which have been identified to create employment in the region are in the area of renewable energy (developing wood bio-mass ) and in the creative industry sector.
The WDC has supported 19 businesses in the region through a €9 million Western Investement Fund, however the council was informed that next year’s government contribution is reduced significantly.
Ballina based Councillor Michelle Mulherin stated that the WDC should not be disbanded, as recommended in the McCarthy report, and any diminishing in its role will not be supported.
