Councils launch Athlone economic strategy

A new economic strategy for Athlone has been launched by Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils. The strategy, jointly commissioned by both local authorities and prepared by consultancy firm Grant Thornton, is a blueprint for the economic development of the Midland’A biggest town.

Athlone has been designated as a Regional Growth Centre by the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (EMRARSES).

The economic strategy is one of the measures that will inform Westmeath and Roscommon County Council’s preparation of the forthcoming a statutory joint plan for the future development of Athlone.

The ambitious strategy aims to capitalise on Athlone’s central location by creating a unique destination capable of attracting high quality talent, investors, businesses and tourists to the town. The plan will be overseen by an Implementation Advisory Group being set up specifically to oversee the economic strategy for Athlone.

The strategy will also provide a focus on promoting increased employment and enterprise opportunities in Athlone and its hinterland as part of the future development of the Regional Centre. The economic strategy was pre- sented by Mary Grier, Senior Planner, Roscommon County Council and Cathaldus Hartin, Senior Planner, Westmeath County Council.

The launch which took place in Athlone Civic Offices recently was attended on behalf of Roscommon County Council by Cllr. John Naughten, Cathaoirleach, Athlone Municipal District, Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive and Greg O’Donnell, Director of Services of Roscommon County Council.

Representing Westmeath County Council were Cllr. Vinny McCormack, Mayor of the Athlone – Moate, Municipal District; Pat Gallagher, Chief Executive Westmeath County Council and Barry Kehoe, Director of Services also with Westmeath County Council; Councillors and key stakeholders in both counties.

Speaking at the event, Cllr. McCormack remarked: “I am delighted to see the cooperation of both Councils in commissioning this strategy, which will be a valuable tool in guiding the future economic development of the regional centre of Athlone over the next 20 years”. Meanwhile, speaking at the conclusion of the event, Cllr. John Naughten commented: “This strategy has been eagerly awaited and will enable Athlone to further develop its potential as a regional economic centre, a vibrant community and an attractive place to work and live”.

AUTUMN

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Thursday 29th Sep. at 12.00 noon

Sale of Store and Fat Lambs, Breeding Ewes and Rams

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has this week launched a new report titled ‘A Sustainability Mobility Index for Rural Towns in Ireland’s Western Region’.

Four towns in County Roscommon were included in the research: Roscommon town, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, and Castlerea.

The Sustainable Mobility Index (SMI), developed by Dr Helen McHenry, is the first of its kind for rural Ireland and was developed to improve our understanding of the mobility needs of people living in towns and how this can be aligned with policy developments and changes.

‘Unemployment figures are encouraging’

The Chief Economist at Grant Thornton Ireland has described the unemployment figures for February, published this week by the CSO, as “encouraging”. Commenting on the latest numbers, Andrew Webb said: “The unemployment numbers provide yet more encouragement that the economy is weathering the challenges presented by inflation and doesn’t appear impacted by the tech jobs slowdown “The number of unem- ployed people is now down to 116,500. Could this positive run continue to bring the number below 100,000, a figure last achieved in 2005? Economic headwinds suggest not, but I wouldn’t bet against it”.

New car registrations up 9.9%

According to the latest figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), new car registrations for the year are up 9.4 per cent compared to this time last year.

Light commercial vehicles are up 12.8 per cent while HGVs are up 45.9 per cent.

So far this year, 5,893 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to 4,311 over the same period 2022.

Electric Vehicle and Plugin Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share, with a combined market share now of 41 per cent. Internal combustion engine type vehicles remain dominant with petrol accounting for 32.48 per cent, Diesel 23.32 per cent, Hybrid 19.16 per cent, Electric 14.56 per cent and Plug-in Electric Hybrid 7.59 per cent.

Report: 63% of employers plan to hire in first half of 2023

Irish recruitment company, Morgan McKinley, has this week published its 2023 Irish Salary Guide, described as “Ireland’s most comprehensive analysis” of current pay across a range of professions and sectors.

Among the key findings was that 63 per cent of employers plan to hire permanent contract or temporary employees in the first half of this year.

Meanwhile, the report also found that five in ten employees plan on looking for a new job in the first half of 2023 while 57 per cent think they will receive a salary increase this year.