The BMW Programme 2000-2006 supported a number of measures that are in areas to receive further support under this OP. These include investments in:
E-Commerce and Communications
Microenterprises
Rural Water
Urban Renewal
There have been a number of initiatives supported in the E-Commerce and Communications area. These include the investment in the fibre ‘backbone’ network, international connectivity, the enabling of exchanges to provide DSL-based services, the Metropolitan Area Networks and the County and Group Broadband Scheme. However, as highlighted in Chapter 3, Ireland lags behind most EU countries in terms of broadband access and connections and this is particularly the case in the BMW Region. Access to broadband is important for economic and social progress and universal broadband access is a priority investment. The update report on the mid-term evaluation of the BMW Regional OP identified investment in increasing broadband access and stimulation of demand as priorities for investment under the Regional OP 2007-13.
The lessons learned from the previous E-Commerce and Communications measure 2000-2006 are reviewed in the ex ante evaluation of the Investment Priorities for the NDP 2007-2013(Note 43). This highlights the progress already made in building backhaul, establishing the Metropolitan Area Networks and in the County and Group Broadband Schemes and proposes targeted investment to address continued non-availability of broadband in certain areas, address backhaul deficiencies and stimulate demand. This Operational Programme provides further support for innovative approaches to addressing these issues.
The Microenterprise Measure is delivered through the 13 City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) located in the region. CEBs support systems and interventions in which financial assistance is made available towards (i) the capital and employment costs of micro-sector start-up and expansion projects and (ii) under the Entrepreneurial and Capability Development sub Measure the cost of training/mentoring programmes for the promoters and employees of those projects, is supported.
Each CEB operates as a stand-alone limited company whose activities are carried out on the basis of an Operating Agreement between the individual CEB and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Total expenditure over the period to June 2006 was €77.1m and this provided support to over 2,300 enterprises. This measure is seen as effective in assisting business start-ups and business development. Given the level of innovation in the region it is considered that there is a rationale for continued investment in these areas. The measure was also prioritised for gender equality following the mid-term evaluation and CEBs have taken significant steps to actively promote gender equality within this activity.
The update report on the mid-term evaluation identified in particular the need to enhance the IT capability of small firms in the successor OP. There will be further supports in this and other areas under this OP recognising the many challenges that remain. The level of business start-ups in the region is low and needs to be increased. This suggests the need for on-going support for micro-enterprise interventions at county level.
The Rural Water measure 2000-2006 provided funding for investment in water treatment, disinfection and distribution equipment for group water schemes to ensure that they can provide an adequate supply of water within their catchment area which meets the requirements of the EU Directive on Drinking Water Quality. ERDF co-financing was provided under the Regional OP 2000-2006 for eligible schemes at a rate of 75% in the region.
Over the period under review, total expenditure amounted to over €311 million, which is equal to over 70 % of projected expenditure. Projects benefiting from ERDF co-financed funding have led to improvements in water quality and service quality for approximately 243,297 persons in the region. Of these, 48,377 were connections to Small Public Water Schemes and the remaining 194,920 benefited through new and upgraded group water scheme supplies.
The evaluation of water services investment in the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 (Note 44) completed in 2005 highlighted (p.135) the need for adequate water services and the use of ‘best technological practise’ in addressing waste water treatment in rural areas.
While water quality is high in the region there remains a challenge to minimise risks to water quality, which requires public funding, in particular for source protection interventions and to address the risk of groundwater contamination from concentrations of individual septic tanks in rural areas. This provides the rationale for further investment in this area as proposed in this OP.
The aim of the Urban and Village Renewal measure under the Regional OP 2000-2006 was to provide financial support for a range of interventions to upgrade cities, towns and villages to make them more attractive places in which to live and work, encourage social and economic development and facilitate and support the development of tourism and tourism-related activity.
At the end of June 2006 work was underway or completed at some 244 locations, covering 522 projects including 382 village, 89 town and 2 city projects. Seventeen conservation projects have also been completed and funding approved for a further 34.
The update report on the mid-term evaluation of the BMW Regional OP 2000-2006 identified investment in the urban environment of gateways and hubs as a priority for investment in the new OP. The Urban development priority of this OP will continue with the urban renewal theme in the context the integrated development of the designated growth centres.
Note 43 Ex Ante Evaluation of the Investment Priorities for the National Development Plan 2007-13, ESRI Policy Research Series no. 59 (2006)
Note 44 Fitzpatrick Associates (2005) Evaluation of Water Services Investment in the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 http://www.ndp.ie/viewdoc.asp?mn=pubr&nID=5&UserLang=EN&StartDate=1+January+2007&fn=/documents/publications/evaluation/NDP_Investment_in_Water _Services2000-2006.pdf
