BMW Latest News

€90,000 Grant from BMW Regional Assembly Aids Monaghan Regeneration Project

Wed, 2 May 2012 16:00:00 +0100

A payment of €90,322.00 has been issued by the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly to Monaghan Town Council towards the enhancement and refurbishment of the Dublin Street area of Monaghan town and the provision of enhanced recreation and amenity facilities.

Renewable Energy can Transform the BMW Region – Minister

Mon, 30 April 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte, T.D. highlighted the enormous potential of renewable energies to transform the economy of the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Region. In his address to the BMW Regional Assembly’s annual conference at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo which was attended by 170 delegates, Minister Rabbite stated that the exploitation of wind and wave resources offered huge opportunities for regional development.

Taoiseach Launches €3.8m European Project

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D., launched TESLA a €3.8m European co-operation project at the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly headquarters in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Rosommon on Monday April 16th. Speaking at the launch, the Taoiseach stated that TESLA, which focuses on innovative supports to small and medium sized business represented a brilliant addition to the opportunities for dynamic small companies and he emphasised that these companies have a key role to play in our economic recovery.

BMW Regional Assembly aids Letterkenny Town Centre Regeneration to the tune of €700,000

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0100

Councillor Cyril Burke, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly, (Tuesday 3rd April) handed over a cheque to the value of €700,000 for the Letterkenny Town Centre Regeneration Project to the Chairman of Letterkenny Town Council, Cllr Gerry Mc Monigle. The grant by the BMW Regional Assembly under an ERDF grant scheme for designated Gateways and Hub Towns, funded the extensive re-paving and refurbishment of Upper Main Street, which was completed recently, along with enhanced traffic management and pedestrian linkages.

Renewable Energy Revitalising Ireland’s Regions - Annual Conference 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly Annual Conference 2012 takes place on Monday 30th April in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar. The keynote speaker is Mr. Pat Rabbitte, T.D., Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.Other speakers include representatives from State Agencies, Local Government and the Private Sector. There is no Fee for this Conference

Thematic INTERREG IVC Capitalisation: Call for Experts

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The INTERREG IVC programme is looking for specialised Experts from self-employed individuals,private consultancies, specialised institutions or network bodies to carry out Thematic Programme Capitalisation on INTERREG IVC projects in twelve topics. The deadline for submitting the applications is the 2 May 2012 at 15:00. Further information can be found on www.interreg4c.eu

BMW Regional Assembly Backs Major University Plan

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0100

Members of the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly have pledged their full backing to the proposed establishment of a Technological University in the BMW Region. The proposal, to merge the Institutes of Technology at Athlone, Dundalk, Galway-Mayo, Letterkenny and Sligo, would see the Border Midlands West Technological University become the largest higher education institution in Ireland with more than 27,000 students.

Guide to Health Gains from Structural Funds Launched

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The guide demonstrates how health gains could be generated through non-health related investments. It shows how promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth - goals of the EU2020 Strategy - is linked to better health outcomes. The Guide Includes a case study from the BMW Region.

Time to exploit our extraordinary marine resources - Minister

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0100

Ireland’s oceans were described as an extraordinary natural resource by Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at a marine economy conference held in Malahide, Co. Dublin on Tuesday last. The Conference entitled The Marine Economy: A key component of the EU Integrated Strategy for the Atlantic Area was hosted by the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly, on behalf of the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme.

€0.65m EU Award for 3 Galway Marine Projects

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0100

The BMW Regional Assembly has announced the award of €1.6m in EU Grant aid to eleven Irish organisations under the EU inter-regional and transnational Atlantic Area Programme 2007-2013. The Assembly which acts as the Irish National Contact Point for the Programme welcomed the success of both NUI Galway and Galway County Council in being awarded funding. NUIG will receive more than €500,000 for two separate marine projects. The first project will examine marine tidal energy and will involve the Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research based at the University. The second project will also include the Ryan Institute this time in collaboration with the Department of Bio-Chemistry and will focus on the technology transfer of marine biomedical services. Galway County Council has been allocated almost €200,000 to undertake work in the area of marine tidal energy. Director of the BMW Regional Assembly, Mr. Gerry Finn added, The Marine Economy is an important component of the economic fabric of the BMW Region. The participation of organisations such as NUI Galway and Galway County Council in EU transnational co-operation projects will further strengthen the BMW Region’s economic ties to EU markets. The projects will complement EU activities ongoing in the region in the maritime sector involving Local Authorities, the Higher Education sector, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute. The latest round of projects approved under the Atlantic Area Programme brings to 43, the total number of transnational projects approved by the Programme with Irish partners since 2008. The cumulative benefit to Ireland from the programme to date is €10.2m in EU grant assistance.

€0.5m BMW Regional Assembly Grant Aids Monaghan Regeneration Project

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

An initial grant of €503,000 by the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly under the European Regional Development Fund grant scheme for the Region’s designated Gateways and Hub Towns has been paid to Monaghan Town Council this week. The grant is towards the enhancement and refurbishment of the Dublin Street area of Monaghan town and the provision of enhanced recreation and amenity facilities. Speaking from the BMW Region Assembly’s headquarters in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon, the Director of the Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn stated, ‘We are delighted to have been in a position to provide financial support towards this project in Monaghan. This project has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the sustainable economic development of Monaghan and we congratulate all those involved in this important project’. The Director added, ‘Funding is provided by the Assembly from the BMW Regional Operational Programme under its Gateway and Hub Development Programme. This programme represents a strategic investment by the BMW Regional Assembly in the Region’s Gateways and Hubs as identified in the National Spatial Strategy. In these constrained economic times it is vital that the development of the identified drivers of economic growth in our Region continue to receive as much financial and strategic support as possible’.

Cllr Burke welcomes €1.1m BMW Regional Assembly payments towards Castlebar Regeneration Project

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

The third payment totalling €444,000 has been issued to Mayo County Council by the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly towards the Castlebar Town Centre Regeneration Project. This project is focused upon revitalising Castlebar through a programme of town centre regeneration and streetscape refurbishment along with the development of the river walk as an amenity corridor. A total of €1.1m has been provided by the Assembly towards this project to date, under a European Regional Development Fund grant scheme for designated Gateways and Hub Towns. Speaking from the BMW Region Assembly’s headquarters in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon, the Director of the Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn stated, ‘We are delighted to have been in a position to provide financial support towards this strategic project in Castlebar. This project has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the sustainable economic development of Castlebar and we congratulate all those involved in this important project’. Cllr Cyril Burke, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly added ‘I hopes that the project which is designed to significantly improve Castlebar’s Main Street, Castle Street and Linenhall Street will encourage new businesses to open and make the area a more people-friendly environment in which to do business and engage in recreation ’. Mr. Finn added, ‘Funding is provided by the Assembly from the BMW Regional Operational Programme under its Gateway and Hub Development Programme. This programme represents a strategic investment by the BMW Regional Assembly in the Region’s Gateways and Hubs as identified in the National Spatial Strategy. In these constrained economic times it is vital that the development of the identified drivers of economic growth in our Region continue to receive as much financial and strategic support as possible’.

€0.3m BMW Regional Assembly Grant towards Ballina Town Centre Regeneration Project

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

A payment of €300,000 has been issued by the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly to Mayo County Council towards the Ballina Town Centre Regeneration Project. A total of €737,000 has been paid to date by the Assembly under a European Regional Development Fund grant scheme for designated Gateways and Hub Towns in the BMW Region.Funding has been provided for the refurbishment of Pearse Street along with improvements to the former bank on Pearse Street to house the Jackie Clarke Library and Archives. Speaking from the BMW Region Assembly’s headquarters in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon, the Director of the Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn stated, ‘We are delighted to have been in a position to provide financial support towards this project particularily in these economic challenging times. This project will enhance Ballina town centre and encourage greater economic and social activity in the area’. Cllr Cyril Burke Member of Mayo County Council and Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly stated ‘this project represents a significant strategic investment in Ballina Town and should give the town an economic and confidence boost. I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in the project’. The Director added, ‘Funding is provided by the Assembly from the BMW Regional Operational Programme under its Gateway and Hub Development Programme. This programme represents a strategic investment by the BMW Regional Assembly in the Region’s Gateways and Hubs as identified in the National Spatial Strategy. In these constrained economic times it is vital that the development of the identified drivers of economic growth in our Region continue to receive as much financial and strategic support as possible’.

Atlantic Area Programme Conference

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Atlantic Area Programme Conference - The Marine Economy – A key component of the EU Strategy for the Atlantic Area The Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Tuesday February 7th 2012

New Routes for Tourism and Job Creation

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Welcoming the announcement by Ireland West Airport Knock of four new direct services operated by Ryanair to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Milan and Paris, the Director of the Border, Midland and Western Region Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn, emphasised the wonderful opportunity presented to surrounding counties to maximise the impact of the arrival of 45,000 additional inward visitors to the West and North West Regions in particular. Mr. Finn stated, The potential for the development of the tourist industry in the West and North West Regions has long been identified as dependent upon direct air access to these regions. These additional visitors will stimulate employment in hotels, restaurants, bars and at visitor centres across the region. An analysis carried out by the BMW Regional Assembly in 2010 highlighted the significant economic contribution of regional airports to the broad regional economy in terms of business access, tourism development and inward investment. This announcement by Ryanair will reinforce the contribution of Knock Airport to the BMW regional economy and helps to secure the future viability of the airport and sustain employment at the facility there.

BMW Regional Assembly aids Ballina Town Centre Regeneration to the tune of €0.43m

Fri, 23 Sept 2011 16:00:00 +0100

An initial grant of € 0.43 million by the BMW Regional Assembly under an ERDF grant scheme for designated Gateways and Hub Towns has been paid towards the Ballina Town Centre Regeneration Project. The project includes the regeneration of Pearse Street along with the refurbishment of the former bank on Pearse Street to house the Jackie Clarke Library and Archives. Speaking from the BMW Region Assembly’s headquarters in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon, the Director of the Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn stated, We are delighted to have been in a position to provide ERDF financial support towards this project in Ballina. This project has the potential to attract more consumers and investors to the town centre commercial area of Ballina and boost the local economy and has already helped Ballina to gain an extra 14 points and favourable comments from the adjudicators in this year’s Tidy Towns competition. Cllr Cyril Burke, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly said that the project will allow Ballina make a greater contribution to the performance of the Region and he complimented all those involved in the project. The Director added, Funding is provided by the Assembly from the BMW Regional Operational Programme under its Gateway and Hub Development Programme. This programme represents a strategic investment by the BMW Regional Assembly in the Region’s Gateways and Hubs as identified in the National Spatial Strategy. In these constrained economic times it is vital that the development of the identified drivers of economic growth in our Region continue to receive as much financial and strategic support as possible.

€0.32m Grant from BMW Regional Assembly Aids Castlebar Regeneration Project

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0100

A second grant of €0.32 million by the BMW Regional Assembly under an ERDF grant scheme for designated Gateways and Hub Towns has been paid towards the Castlebar Town Centre Regeneration Project, bringing the total paid to date to €0.65 million, which consists of the town centre regeneration and streetscape refurbishment along with the development of the river walk as an amenity corridor. Speaking from the BMW Region Assembly’s headquarters in Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon, the Director of the Assembly Mr. Gerry Finn stated, We are delighted to have been in a position to provide ERDF financial support towards this project in Castlebar. This project has the potential to make a valuable contribution to the sustainable economic development of Castlebar and we congratulate all those involved in this important project. Cllr Cyril Burke, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly said that the project is designed to significantly improve the urban environment of Main Street, Castle Street, Linenhall Hall Street and to develop a river walk along the Castlebar river which will encourage and sustain economic development and will encourage business investment and innovation. The Director added, Funding is provided by the Assembly from the BMW Regional Operational Programme under its Gateway and Hub Development Programme. This programme represents a strategic investment by the BMW Regional Assembly in the Region’s Gateways and Hubs as identified in the National Spatial Strategy. In these constrained economic times it is vital that the development of the identified drivers of economic growth in our Region continue to receive as much financial and strategic support as possible.

Minister Phil Hogan Addresses Joint Meeting of the Regional Assemblies

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD addressed the Annual Joint Meeting of the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) and the Southern and Eastern (S and E) Regional Assemblies in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Friday 22 July last. The Minister was informed that only by strengthening regional government will regional imbalances be addressed In his opening address, Councillor Tomas Breathnach, Leas Cathaoirleach of the S and E Regional Assembly, told the Minister to consider the wider issue of enhancing regional governance structures as part of the local government reform agenda. He called on the Minister to recognize that the Regional bodies have successfully fulfilled all of the functions and tasks which have been assigned to them over the years, not least in the effective way they have managed the various European funded Programmes. Cllr. Breathnach reminded the Minister that the two Regional Assemblies successfully closed the first Regional Programmes 2000-06, with full draw-down of all EU Funds available to the regions. In the current programming period, the two co-financed Regional Programmes in Ireland have among the highest absorption of ERDF of all Programmes across the entire Union. Given the current very difficult climate in which we are operating, this is indeed a considerable achievement, and something for which we can be very proud. In his address, Minister Hogan acknowledged the successful way in which both Regional Assemblies had managed and monitored the Regional Operational Programmes and informed the meeting that he looked forward to working closely with the Regional Assemblies in the coming years. The Minister stated that that there needed to be a careful prioritisation of resources and that the Government is willing to engage with regional bodies to ensure a meaningful role for them in the context of the overall local government reform programme. Minister Hogan informed the meeting of his intention to undertake a review of the National Spatial Strategy taking account of the current economic situation. Cllr. Joe Flanagan, Cathaoirleach, BMW Regional Assembly in his response to Minister Hogan endorsed the points made by Cllr. Breathnach and stated that we need to continuously take account of the regional impacts of national policies and programmes. In order to do this, we need to have effective representative regional structures in place. The Regional Assemblies have played an important role in this regard through our policy development work, our meetings with Ministers, Department officials and key agencies, our policy conferences and our monitoring of national and EU programmes. We wish to continue to play this role in partnership with central Government. In seeking to address the serious challenges we face Councillor Flanagan said it is important that we do not let any region fall behind. We know from our experiences in the 1980s and 1990s that it took some regions most notably the Border, Midlands and West regions, much longer to catch up with national rates of economic growth and to overcome their higher levels of long-term unemployment. It would be unfortunate if we allow this to happen again. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly stated that the meeting had provided a useful opportunity to outline the role of the Regional Assemblies and their views on local and regional government reform to Minister Hogan. Mr. Finn welcomed Minister Hogan's commitment to continue to engage with the Regional Assemblies and to ensure that there are meaningful regional structures in place. Mr. Stephen Blair Director of the S and E Regional Assembly there is a need to shift from centralised economic planning towards developing regional strategies to enhance competitiveness, a view strongly supported by European Cohesion policy. Strategies should be developed in consultation with local and regional interests which address the varying strengths and weaknesses of the individual Regions. The Regional Assemblies have consistently expressed the view that central government policy and decision making needs to take greater account of regional implications.