Westmeath Local Community Development Committee Rural Development Programme (LEADER) = Draft = Westmeath Local Development Strategy 2014 -2020 25th Sept 2015. Contents Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. The LAG ................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1. Organisation Details ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Primary Contact ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.3. Legal Description: ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.4. LAG Composition and Decision Making. ....................................................................................... 6 1.5. LAG Roles and responsibilities ...................................................................................................... 7 1.6. LAG’s Financial Management ....................................................................................................... 7 1.7. LEADER Staffing ............................................................................................................................ 8 1.8. Project Selection Procedures ........................................................................................................ 9 1.9. Relevant Experience ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.9.1. Management/Leverage of Funding ........................................................................................10 2. LDS Area Profile ..................................................................................................................................11 2.1. LDS Area ......................................................................................................................................11 2.2 Population .......................................................................................................................................11 2.3 Education ........................................................................................................................................12 2.4 Employment ....................................................................................................................................12 2.5 Live Register ....................................................................................................................................13 2.6 Economic Activity ............................................................................................................................14 2.6.1 Tourism .......................................................................................................................................14 2.6.2 Agriculture ..................................................................................................................................15 2.6.3 Equine .........................................................................................................................................16 2.6.4 Forestry .......................................................................................................................................17 2.6.5 Food ............................................................................................................................................17 2.6.6 Crafts ...........................................................................................................................................17 2.6.7 Cultural Assets ............................................................................................................................18 2.6.8 Rural Towns ................................................................................................................................18 2.6.9 Rural Economic Development Zones or REDZ ............................................................................18 2.6.10 Information and Communication Technology ............................................................................18 2.7 Hard to Reach Communities ...........................................................................................................19 2.7.1 Small Area Analysis .....................................................................................................................19 2.7.2 Priority Target Groups ................................................................................................................19 2.7.3 Youth ...........................................................................................................................................19 2 2.8 Environment ...................................................................................................................................20 2.8.1 Water Resources .........................................................................................................................20 2.8.2 Local Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................20 2.8.3 Renewable Energy ......................................................................................................................20 2.9 Review of Key Services/Programmes (Statutory) ...........................................................................21 2.9.1 Westmeath County Council (WCC) .............................................................................................21 2.9.2 Westmeath Local Enterprise Office (LEO)...................................................................................21 2.9.3 Enterprise Ireland .......................................................................................................................22 2.9.4 Failte Ireland ...............................................................................................................................22 2.9.5 Waterways Ireland ......................................................................................................................22 2.9.6 Inland Fisheries Ireland ...............................................................................................................22 2.9.7 Teagasc........................................................................................................................................23 2.9.8 Forestry Service ..........................................................................................................................23 2.9.9 Health Service Executive (HSE) ...................................................................................................23 2.9.10 Tusla ............................................................................................................................................23 2.9.11 Department of Social Protection – (DSP) ...................................................................................24 2.9.12 Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB)...................................................24 2.9.13 National Learning Network .........................................................................................................24 2.9.14 Citizens information Board .........................................................................................................24 2.10 Review of Key Services/Programmes (Community & Voluntary) .................................................24 2.10.1 Westmeath Community Development .....................................................................................24 2.10.2 Congress Information and Development Centres ....................................................................27 2.10.3 South Westmeath Education Employment and Training Services (SWEETS) ...........................27 2.10.4 Mullingar Employment Action Group (MEAG) .........................................................................27 2.10.5 Athlone Community Taskforce (ACT) ........................................................................................27 2.10.6 Other Community Services Projects (CSPs) ..............................................................................27 2.10.7 Youth Services ...........................................................................................................................28 2.10.8 Women’s Community Projects (WCP) ......................................................................................28 2.10.9 Age Friendly Alliance ................................................................................................................28 2.10.10 Westmeath County Childcare Committee ................................................................................28 2.10.11 Family Resource Centres ..........................................................................................................28 2.10.12 Longford Westmeath Community Transport ...........................................................................28 2.11 County Westmeath Area Needs Analysis .....................................................................................28 3 3.0 Participative Planning .....................................................................................................................31