Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Regional Assembly

Submission by Údarás na Gaeltachta

March 2019

Introduction:

Údarás na Gaeltachta welcomes the publication of the ‘Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Regional Assembly’.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has provided previous input during the preparation of the Draft RSES which provides the context for considering this additional submission.

In this further submission, Údarás na Gaeltachta makes specific comments relating to the Draft RSES document with a particular focus on the Regional Policy objectives as set out in the draft.

Údarás na Gaeltachta:

Údarás na Gaeltachta acts as the statutory regional development authority responsible for the socioeconomic and sociolinguistic development of the . Its statutory responsibilities are set out in the Gaeltacht Act, 2012 (http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2012/act/34/enacted/en/html).

The organisation discharges a wide range of development functions and its development and investment programme forms an integral part of the economic, linguistic, cultural and social sustainability of the Gaeltacht. These investment and development measures provide key supports (financial, enterprise accommodation, training, skills development) to the local enterprise base and to community sector development initiatives.

Contact Details:

We are pleased to have the opportunity to make this further submission and would be happy to expand on any points made if the Assembly or RSES team requires further information, supporting data or clarifications.

For queries please contact:

An Rannóg Taighde agus Forbairt Earnála Údarás na Gaeltachta Baile an Mhuilinn Daingean Uí Chúis Co. Chiarraí. V92 TX98

Tel: 066-9150100 e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.udaras.ie

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General Comments:

Regional Policy Objectives Comment

9. c. It is an objective to support and promote vibrant, This is welcome and culturally-rich and revitalised Key Towns with essential to the enhanced social inclusion, sustainable vibrancy of rural neighbourhoods and a high level of Gaeltacht areas and environmental quality to ensure an excellent the Region as a quality of life for all. whole. The Key Towns identified in the RSES where Gaeltacht districts exist are Tralee, Co. Kerry and , Co. . 23. To support the development of Dungarvan as the We feel that it is Gaeltacht Service Town for Gaeltacht na nDéise appropriate that mention be made We suggest that a RPO that references, recognises and and recognition be supports the additional Gaeltacht Service Towns as given to the other follows: Gaeltacht Service Towns in the Region Co. Kerry and request that Daingean Uí Chúis/ RPOs are added to Tralee address this gap in Cahersiveen the draft strategy as they relate to Co. : counties Kerry and Cork City Cork Macroom (covered by the Cork MASP)

24. a. The RSES strongly supports strengthening the This is an essential viability of our towns and rural settlements as a objective to ensure key objective of the RSES including the protection the viability and of essential rural services such as Post Offices, sustainability of rural shops, medical facilities and fuel outlets Gaeltacht areas and of the linguistic c. Support the development of guidelines for cluster heritage. housing development within the existing footprint of our rural settlements

e. Seek investment in the sustainable development of a ‘New Homes in Small Towns and Villages’ initiative in the Southern region and the delivery

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of actions by Local Authorities, Irish Water, communities and other stakeholders in the provision of services and serviced sites to create build your own home opportunities within the existing footprint of rural settlements 25. Support rural economies and rural communities It is imperative that through implementing a sustainable rural housing there is recognition policy in the region which provides a distinction of the differentiated between areas under urban influence and rural areas development elsewhere through the implementation of National priorities of the Policy Objective 19 in Local Authority County Gaeltacht and rural Development Plan Core Strategies. regions in the local, county and regional Local authorities shall: planning framework • Include policies for the protection of the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements as key priority within Development Plans. • Having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements; Core Strategies shall identify areas under urban influence and set the appropriate sustainable rural housing policy response which facilities the provision of single housing in the countryside based on the core consideration of demonstrable economic social or exceptional need to live in a rural area and sitting, environmental and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans. • Having regard to the viability of smaller towns and rural settlements; in rural areas elsewhere, facilitate the sustainable provision of single housing in the countryside based on sitting and design criteria for rural housing in statutory guidelines and plans. • Provide for flexibility in zoning and density requirements to ensure that rural villages provide attractive easily developed options for housing.

3.8 Networks in the Southern Region

Kerry Hub and Knowledge Triangle: Údarás na Gaeltachta Innovation hub and centres of excellence in a network currently supports a between Killorglin with Tralee and Killarney network of digital interacting with the Atlantic Economic Corridor. hubs in the Gaeltacht and the further expansion and development of additional hubs in

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the Southern Region. 30. Support Local Authorities in the provision of a Údarás na Gaeltachta Housing Need Demand Assessment (HNDA) for the fully support this preparation of Housing Strategies, providing a robust objective and the evidence base to assist developing long-term strategic strategic long-term views of housing needs across all tenures and objectives in terms of typologies in accordance with statutory guidelines and identifying housing ensuring phased delivery of services including water, needs and wastewater and transport. deficiencies particularly in Gaeltacht’s in the Southern region 36. Further strengthen our Higher Education and Further Údarás na Gaeltachta Education and Training (FET) Sector; Research, can be referred to in Development and Innovation capacity; the initiatives terms of FDI of the Regional Skills Forums and Life Long Learning initiatives in the to match the diverse skills of our people with a choice Gaeltacht districts of employment opportunities for all to attract and retain a skilled labour force within our region. 37. To develop social enterprises and the circular Reference can be economy within local communities to benefit made to the network environmental protection, employment generation of community and community development. enterprises which are funded by An tÚdarás across the Gaeltacht districts and which can act as a mechanism to deliver on this objective given that they are engaged in these work programmes 38 To develop, deepen and enhance our regional Reference can be economic resilience by means of widening our made to the economic sectors; boosting innovation, export investment and diversification, productivity enhancement and access development to new markets. programmes which are being implemented by An tÚdarás through its continued support for productive sector enterprises trading in export markets 42. It is an objective to support the Action Plan for Rural Údarás na Gaeltachta Development led by the Department of Rural and supports this Community Development and to support the essential objective as development of priority areas under the Rural a priority measure Development Programme 2014-2020 led by the within the strategy.

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Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The introduction of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund should be recognised within the Strategy and is a welcome initiative and one which will benefit the rural Gaeltacht districts and communities as a whole in the Southern Region.

44. It is an objective to expedite the completion of Údarás na Gaeltachta infrastructure servicing diverse settlements to support supports this innovation, enterprise start-ups and competitiveness. essential objective as This includes high-quality broadband and mobile a priority measure communication services to all rural locations, water within the strategy and wastewater facilities for the growth of settlements, sustainable energy supply, enhanced transport connectivity including rural public transport services and greenway walking and pedestrian corridors between settlements. 46. It is an objective to develop innovation hubs and The Gaeltacht centres of excellence (with particular opportunities network of Digital for innovation in agri-food, agri-tech, marine Hubs currently research, creative industries, knowledge economy supports this etc.) as local driver for growth. objective. The initiative is being implemented across the Gaeltacht districts and within the Southern Region.

Specific reference can be made to this initiative as a demonstration project.

47. It is an objective to support innovation, enterprise Údarás na start-ups and competitiveness of our rural region. Gaeltachta’s remit is to provide supports for enterprise, start- ups and support innovation in the Gaeltacht regions of the Southern Region

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51. Tourism:

It is an objective to: Údarás na Gaeltachta • Enhance provision of tourism and leisure will act as a key co- amenity to cater for increased population in ordinator and the Region including recreation, promoter of entertainment, cultural, catering, Greenway/Blueway accommodation, transport and water development within infrastructure inter alia; the Gaeltacht • Promote activity tourism districts as part of its • Sustainably develop the road network and tourism development public transport services and facilities for strategy. improved visitor access, longer dwell times due to improved connectivity to ports and airports The objectives and tourism growth; outlined here are • Sustainably develop walking and cycling trails fully supported and opening greater accessibility to the marine and developed in the countryside environment by sustainable Gaeltacht and we see designation and delivery of Greenway and further opportunities Blueway Corridors to identify and • Facilitate appropriate tourism development expand on those and in particular a National Greenways, developments within Blueways and Peatways Strategy, prioritising our remit in the sustainable projects that achieve maximum strategy. impact and connectivity at national and regional level; • Identify and map catchment areas concerning Culture, Heritage and Tourism of regional significance/scale. Such catchments should have the potential to deliver small scale economic development and using wider local services such as Post Offices and local public transport. • Support the relevant authorities in the development of specific monitoring protocols for visitor pressure to ensure that tourism activities are maintained within sustainable limits for the European sites in the region. 54. It is an objective to accelerate the transition towards a Údarás na Gaeltachta low carbon economy and a circular economy through supports this mechanisms such as the Climate Action Competitive essential objective as Fund. a priority measure within the strategy

Reference can be made to the Regional Energy Development Programme which

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An tÚdarás are co- funding with the SEAI which will see the establishment of regional energy bureaux.

56. It is an objective to facilitate the development of the Údarás na Gaeltachta rural economy through supporting a sustainable and supports this economically efficient agricultural and food sector; essential objective as together the bio-economy while at the same time a priority measure noting the importance of maintaining and protecting within the strategy the natural landscape. 65. It is an objective to develop and coordinate the regional investment plan to enable; Údarás na Gaeltachta • Sustainable development of infrastructures can provide that creates a platform for enterprise creation information and innovation in the Southern Region concerning • Safeguarding of the region’s cost landbanks, industrial competitiveness by supporting an estates and infrastructure led approach to planning for enterprise jobs growth. infrastructures in the • Enterprise infrastructures and initiatives of Region. economic, education and skills development to improve our ranking under the EU Regional It is imperative that Competitiveness Index; there is recognition • Sustainable housing provision with of the differentiated accessibility to locations where jobs are development concentrated, ensuring quality neighbourhoods priorities of the with supporting infrastructures and services Gaeltacht regions in are developed in tandem with jobs growth; the local, county and • Initiatives that protect and strengthen the regional planning qualities that distinguish the Southern Region framework and that as a High Quality of Life destination on the they are recognised global stage. as part of a High Quality of Life destination. 67. It is an objective to put in place measures to reduce Údarás na Gaeltachta the negative impact from the departure of the UK have rolled out our from the EU. own strategic plan to address and assist our client companies with any impending Brexit impacts 68. It is an objective to promote the region through a The Gaeltacht area is comprehensive communication and promotion recognised as a strategy, including the development of a regional unique, cultural, brand with international focus building on heritage, historical area with a culture and attractive qualities. sense of place. A new Gaeltacht

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destination marketing brand has been developed called ‘Gaeltacht na hÉireann’–

it is appropriate to reference this as a key development measure which has been undertaken.

71. It is an objective to build a common up-to-date, Údarás na Gaeltacht dynamic and shared evidence base and monitoring can provide framework at regional and local level with information to assist information on assets, economic base, settlement with populating the functions and economic performance. shared evidence base by providing information in relation to all aspects of the Gaeltacht districts within the Southern Region 79. It is an objective to seek investment in the sustainable The Fishery Harbour development of infrastructure improvements to Centre at Daingean Fishery Harbour Centres and Local Authority Uí Chúis is relevant Harbours in the Southern Region. Robust site here as a strategic selection and environmental feasibility and site for investment in assessment is required in advance of seeking terms of the investment. Gaeltacht district in Co. Kerry and the development of same in the Southern Region

80. It is an objective to seek investment in the delivery of Údarás na Gaeltachta sustainable actions and development of the seafood supports the sector under existing and future European Maritime sustainable and Fisheries Fund Operational Programmes. Robust development of the site selection and environmental feasibility and seafood sector within assessment is required in advance. the Gaeltacht districts of the Southern Region. 81. It is an objective to seek investment in the sustainable Údarás na Gaeltachta

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development of infrastructure (physical and social), supports this access (upgraded pier infrastructure, landing facilities objective and the and passenger and cargo ferry services) regional investment in critical connectivity (transport networks and digital) infrastructure to enterprise growth and deliver initiatives by Local enable improved Authority, UnaG, local communities and other access and landing stakeholders to strengthen and sustainably grow our facilities for the region’s island and coastal communities. Robust site tourism and fishing selection and environmental feasibility is required in sectors within the advance of seeking investment including all necessary Gaeltacht districts of flood risk assessments. the Region 82. It is an objective to seek the implementation and Údarás na Gaeltachta investment in actions that support the Fishing Local are represented on a Area Groups (FLAG) Development Strategies to regional level and support coastal and island communities. Robust site have a decision selection and environmental feasibility is required in making role in the advance of seeking investment including all necessary implementation of flood risk assessments. FLAG and support the ongoing investment in the strategy

84. It is an objective to develop a research driven marine Údarás na Gaeltachta cluster in the Southern Region to support are currently development of Marine ICT and Biotechnology investing in a range Initiatives arising from this objective shall be subject of development to robust feasibility and site selection, which includes interventions in food risk assessment explicit consideration of likely support of the significant effects on European Sites and potential for marine resource in adverse effects on the integrity of European sites in the region and this advance of any development. work is being undertaken on a partnership basis with regional HEIs and relevant public and private stakeholders 85. The Southern Region is committed to the Reference can be implementation of the policy of Government under made here to the Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future LECo project funded 2015-2030. It is an objective to promote change under the EU across business, public and residential sectors to INTERREG achieve reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, programme, the improve energy efficiency and increase the use of REACT project renewable energy sources across the key sectors of (funded under electricity supply, heating, transport and agriculture. Horizon 2020) and Údarás na Gaeltachta and SEAI’s joint programme – The Regional Energy

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Development Programme

91. It is an objective to support and leverage the Southern Údarás na Gaeltacht Region as a leader and innovator in sustainable fully supports and renewable energy generation. endorses this objective. 94. It is an objective to support the development of a Reference can be Regional Renewable Energy Strategy with relevant made here to Údarás stakeholders. na Gaeltachta and SEAI’s joint programme – The Regional Energy Development Programme, the development of Energy Masterplans and the establishment of the regional energy bureau

95. It is an objective to support the sustainable Údarás na Gaeltachta development of renewable wind energy (on shore and are working closely off shore) at appropriate locations and related grid with SEAI to infrastructure in the Southern Region. In compliance implement a with national Wind Energy Guidelines. renewable energy strategy in the Gaeltacht through the development of BEC’s and SEC’s. An NPA funding application to examine the development of wind energy in the Southern Gaeltacht Regions in conjunction with Mol Teic (Dingle Hub) and the North Antrim Marine Energy Group is currently underway

97. It is an objective to support continued innovation and Údarás na Gaeltachta research in the energy sector and to develop a role as through its an international hub for energy innovation collaboration with SEAI and other stakeholders support

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this objective 98. It is an objective to support initiatives for energy Údarás na Gaeltachta research funding within our region to accelerate supports this diversification away from fossil fuels to green energy, objective through its including the potential of wind, wave, solar, biomass, collaboration and biofuels, biogas and hydrogen in our region. joint funding initiatives with SEAI and other stakeholders 100. It is an objective to support the investment in Údarás na Gaeltachta initiatives to develop innovation, advances in supports this technology and pilot projects for the sustainable objective through its development of energy storage and carbon capture collaboration and within the region. joint funding initiatives with SEAI and other stakeholders and supports this essential objective as a priority measure within the strategy

128. It is an objective to encourage measures to support Údarás na Gaeltachta the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve and the fully supports this establishment of other ‘Dark Sky’ Parks and Reserves objective. The first in the Southern Region where appropriate. recognised ‘Dark Sky Reserve’ in the Northern Hemisphere incorporated areas of the South Kerry Gaeltacht within the Region 132. To expedite the implementation of the National We fully support and Broadband Plan (NBP) endorse the implementation of the NBP for the Southern Region 137. To strengthen investment to deliver actions under Údarás na Gaeltacht National Ports Policy and investment in sustainable support this infrastructure projects that: objective in terms of • Strengthen and develop the strategic regional highlighting the need economic role of other regional fishery for continued harbours, ports and harbours investment in the regional ports and harbours in the Gaeltacht districts. 140. To develop a RSES Regional Ports and Harbour Údarás na Gaeltacht Strategy in consultation with the Department of supports the Transport, Tourism and Sport, Local Authorities, port development of a

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authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Regional Ports and Harbours Strategy as a key policy objective of the strategy 145. b. Continued exchequer support for smaller Údarás na Gaeltachta regional airports under the Regional Airports supports the ongoing Programme for Waterford and Kerry Airports investment in the and develop their potential as key tourism and regional airport business gateways for their regions as a infrastructure. Two complement to the services provided by the key regional airports region’s national airport gateways of Cork and are located in Shannon. counties which have designated Gaeltacht districts and recognise the importance of these infrastructure and services in terms of enterprise development and support for rural communities 153. Investment in the sustainable development of fully Údarás na Gaeltachta accessible infrastructure that strengthens intra- fully supports this regional rural connectivity including rural public objective and transport services as ‘life lines’ which are important recognises the routes on the road network connecting communities importance of in remote locations and smaller scaled settlements connectivity within with larger scaled settlements to access important rural Gaeltacht services. communities 165. Invest in the sustainable development of We welcome the infrastructure and service improvements on the emphasis on impacts transport networks along our region’s key tourism in relation to corridors, subject to robust feasibility studies to development in the reduce impacts on the environment and required Gaeltacht areas and appraisal, planning and environmental assessment the environmental processes, including the , Ireland’s impacts of same on Hidden East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands the community Corridors. 166. Delivery of cycle routes. Greenway and Blueway Údarás na Gaeltachta corridor projects, having regard to the Strategy for the will act as a key co- Future Development of National and Regional ordinator and Greenways (July 2018) promoter of Greenway/Blueway development within the Gaeltacht districts as part of its tourism development strategy having regard to the

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National and Regional Strategy.

174. To ensure that local planning, housing, We welcome the transport/accessibility and leisure policies meet the emphasis on impacts needs and opportunities of an ageing population. in relation to Local Authorities should ensure that the development development in the of housing, transport, accessibility and leisure Gaeltacht areas and facilities/infrastructure is informed by an appropriate the impact of same level of environmental assessment of potential on the communities. impacts from such development. We feel that reference should be made here in relation to the Gaeltacht areas within the Southern Region and reference made to the linguistic impacts of such developments.

180. It is an objective to retain and enhance the Regional Reference can be Skills Fora as a permanent part of the education and made to the ongoing training infrastructure. work we are co- ordinating with the Regional Skills Fora in establishing industrial training needs at a sectoral level

183. To develop a vibrant cultural and creative sector in Údarás na Gaeltachta the Southern Region as a key enabler for enterprise support this growth, innovation, regeneration, place-making and objective as a key community development, health and well-being and objective within the support measures under Culture 2025, Creative Strategy in the Ireland Strategy 2017-2022 and Action Plan for Rural Southern region. Development. Reference can be made here to the ongoing work of Ealaíon na Gaeltacht, a co-funded initiative implemented with the Arts Council which implements an investment programme in the creative sector within the Gaeltacht 184. The Local Authority Development Plans, Local Údarás na Gaeltachta

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Enterprise Community Plans and Local Area Plans supports this should include cultural policies and objectives objective through supporting the sustainable development of enabling funding and other infrastructure including: measures as well as • Workspaces for cultural uses investment in • Delivery and optimisation of high-speed infrastructure within broadband to support the digital media and the Gaeltacht to meet remote working the requirements of • Support investment in training and education the digital media initiatives for cultural employment sector and facilitate opportunities remote working • Provision and upgrade of cultural facilities opportunities in the • Support the adaptation and bringing back into region use of heritage buildings Specific reference • Where large scale housing is planned, ensure can be made in adequate provision is made for a range of relation to the community facilities including cultural strategic regional facilities. Local Authorities should ensure that development centres decisions relating to upgrade/re-use of which are to be buildings for developments incorporating developed at Coláiste cultural and creative sector space and facilities Íosagáin at Baile are informed by an appropriate level of Bhúirne, County environmental assessment including Cork and at the undertaking studies where Dingle Workhouse regeneration/building projects may have the project in Dingle, potential to affect protected species.

185. It is an objective to develop Collaborative Regional Údarás na Gaeltachta Partnerships to enhance opportunities for the support this development of cultural and creative strategy across objective through County or SPA boundaries, in conjunction with the funding and other Regional Assembly, Fáilte Ireland and other public measures bodies/agencies/Government Departments. 186. It is an objective to advocate for investment in The Gaeltacht area is infrastructure and initiatives that develop the role of recognised as a the arts, heritage, culture within our region and unique, cultural, communities and assist delivery of actions under arts, historical area with a heritage, and cultural strategies in our Local sense of place. The Authorities, including funding streams outlined in Southern Region ‘Project Ireland 2040 Investing in our Culture, includes four Language, Heritage 2018-2027’. Local Authorities Gaeltacht districts. should ensure that decisions relating to investment in The new Gaeltacht arts, cultural and heritage infrastructure/facilities destination should be informed by an appropriate level of marketing brand has environmental assessment. been developed –

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it is appropriate to reference this as key development measure which has been undertaken.

187. Support Designated ‘Lead Organisations’ in the This objective is an preparation of Language Plans for each of the integral part of the designated Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht strategy and Service Towns. implementation of Local Language Plans which are overseen and funded We suggest that perhaps it may be considered to alter by Údarás na this RPO to read as follows: Gaeltachta and the Department of ‘Support and assist the formulation and Culture, Heritage implementation of Plans through the and the Gaeltacht. lead agency Údarás na Gaeltachta, across the These planning Gaeltacht areas and within Gaeltacht Service Towns, initiatives need to be as defined under the .’ identified as the key planning framework for Gaeltacht development in terms of objective 187.

188. It is an objective to support the development of a The Gaeltacht network of economic and social infrastructure to network of Digital address the remote locations of the Gaeltacht which Hubs currently shall include: supports this • The development of the Gaeltacht network of objective. The digital hubs initiative is being • Support for the development and upgrading of implemented across regional enterprise infrastructure and the Gaeltacht accommodation for the Gaeltacht an provision districts within the of appropriately located zoned and serviced southern region lands to support enterprise space • Local Authorities should ensure that decision- An RRDF funding making relating to the development of social proposal has been and economic infrastructure including the submitted for the development of communications and development of a renewable energy are informed by an digital hub facility in

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appropriate level of environmental assessment. South Kerry

Funding under the RRDF has been approved towards the development of a masterplan which will incorporate a digital hub at Coláiste Íosagáin, Co. Cork.

189. To support the designation of suitable locations as Údarás na Gaeltachta Irish Language Networks in recognition of community welcomes and fully development work in the use of Irish in communities supports and outside of the Gaeltacht. endorses this objective for the region

193. To support investment in the development of walking Údarás na Gaeltachta and cycling facilities, greenway and blueway corridors will act as a key co- within the region and extending into and between our ordinator and region’s settlements. Proposals for investment in promoter of walking and cycling facilities, greenway and blueway Greenway and corridors should be based on rigorous site/route Blueway selection studies and Local Authorities should ensure development within that decision-making in relation to such the Gaeltachta developments is informed by an appropriate level of districts as part of its environmental assessment including all necessary tourism development reports to assess the potential impact on designated strategy European sites and on biodiversity outside of formal protections such that proposed development does not contribute to loss of biodiversity. 208. It is an objective to support the servicing of rural This is welcome and villages (serviced sites) to provide an alternative to essential to the one-off housing in the countryside. vibrancy of rural Gaeltacht areas and the Region as a whole

8.3 Waterford MASP

Waterford is a culturally diverse city, a fact reflected We feel that the in the diversity of language spoken in Waterford. strategy needs to Waterford is also home to a Gaeltacht at Rinn Ua explicitly recognise gCuanach (Ring) and An Sean Phobal () the importance of the and connections to the Gaeltacht is another Gaeltacht districts in dimension to diversity in the City. counties Cork and Kerry respectively and we have made

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suggestions in the column below to address these omissions.

Gaeltacht Regions of Cork and Kerry:

We would suggest that a RPO/reference such as is suggested below be adopted to recognise the As outlined in the Gaeltacht areas in counties Cork and Kerry within the tables below. draft RSES chapters that cover same.

‘Kerry is home to two Gaeltacht areas, South Kerry (Uíbh Ráthach) and West Kerry (Corca Dhuibne)’.

‘Cork is home to the Gaeltacht districts of Múscraí and Oileán Chléire ()’.

The Gaeltacht, Local Community Planning in the context of the SRA:

In the context of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s statutory obligations in implementing the Language Planning Strategy for the Gaeltacht areas we feel that the map is essential to give an overview of the geographical areas which this strategy covers. We recommend including the maps which we have included in our previous submission.

The Gaeltacht Act (2012) and Local Community Planning

The Gaeltacht Act (2012) sets out the statutory responsibilities and development functions of An tÚdarás. The provisions of the Act provide for a more comprehensive and integrated view of regional and territorial development within the Gaeltacht.

In planning terms, the introduction of a new dimension to the local planning hierarchy through the establishment of Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas (designated by order under Section 7 (2) of the Act), and of Gaeltacht Service Towns (designated under Section 9 (1)), represents a new order of responsibilities for public agencies and for local communities alike.

These statutory provisions set out the bases under which local, area-based planning interventions (Local Language Plans) are to be drawn up in support of local communities. These plans will include development measures to support the viability of the Irish language in the “[…] family, educational, public, social, recreational and commercial life of the area concerned” (Section 7 [6]).

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Under the auspices of the Gaeltacht Act (2012), some 26 such Local Language Plans will be prepared by local community organisations across the different Gaeltacht districts. These community organisations act as the ‘lead organisation’ in each of the planning areas. These organisations have been appointed to this role through a consultative process overseen by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Údarás na Gaeltachta. These community organisations work in close collaboration and on a partnership basis with key public sector and state agency stakeholders, community and voluntary organisations, private sector representative bodies and the relevant Local Authorities.

In the SRA region, Local Language Plans will be prepared in the following Limistéir Pleanála Teanga/Language Planning Districts:

Language Planning Areas, Co. Kerry

Co. Kerry:

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Language Planning Area/Gaeltacht Service Town 1. West Kerry 2. South Kerry 3. Daingean Uí Chúis (Gaeltacht Service Town)

Co. Cork:

Language Planning Areas in Co. Cork in the Southern Regional Assembly:

1. Múscraí 2. Cléire

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Gaeltacht Service Towns in Co. Cork in the Southern Regional Assembly:

Corcaigh Cathair Chorcaí/Cork City Maigh Chromtha/Macroom

Co. Waterford:

Language Planning Area/Gaeltacht Service Town 1. Na Déise

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2. Dungarvan (GST)

The development measures envisaged within these plans are closely aligned to the strategic priorities as set out in the Údarás na Gaeltachta development strategy. Such measures will be integrated within a planning model that addresses the complex of interdependent factors which impact on the resilience and the capability of local communities to protect and extend the use of the Irish language as the community vernacular locally.

These measures focus on the ‘community of language’ in their local and regional contexts. This operational context is fully informed by the economic development, employment and enterprise needs of such communities; by their housing, planning and local service requirements; by the educational, health and other social and public services upon which they are dependent.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

In terms of monitoring and evaluation of the RSES, we recommend that timelines are agreed in relation to the specific targets/outputs as outlined in the strategy. We further recommend that key agencies are identified specifically those who will hold responsibility for the delivery of outputs.

We congratulate the SRA on the current draft and welcome this opportunity to have our comments and recommendations herein considered before the final draft is signed-off on and formally adopted.

March, 2019

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