downloads/RPGs/Border Regional Authority RPGs 2010-2022.pdf

Border Regional Authority Planning Guidelines 2010 – 2022 – CHAPTER 1
1.4.3 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2007 – 2013
The National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, sets out a detailed development strategy for the country,
supported by investment in the key areas of infrastructural development, education and training, the
productive sector and the promotion of social inclusion. The NDP also contains a commitment to support
the National Spatial Strategy in the promotion of more balanced regional development throughout the
country.
Many of the key elements of the NDP underpin these common, and interlinked, objectives:-
• Decisively tackle structural infrastructure deficits that continue to impact on competitiveness,
regional development and general quality of life, and to meet the demands of the increasing
population;
• Enhance Enterprise Development, Science, Technology and Innovation, working age
training and skills provision to improve economic performance, competitiveness and our
capacity to generate new enterprise ‘leaders’ from the indigenous sector as well as continue to
attract high added value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI);
• Integrate regional development within the National Spatial Strategy framework of Gateway
cities and Hub towns to achieve the goals of economic growth in the regions, and provide for
major investment in the rural economy;
• Invest in long-term environmental sustainability to achieve the national goal of preserving the
integrity of our natural environment for future generations, as well as meeting international
responsibilities and Climate Change obligations; this also involves a more balanced, efficient and
sustainable use of our land resources;
• Realise the opportunities of strengthened all-island collaboration in areas of mutual
interest to build up the island’s competitive strengths particularly in the areas of infrastructure,
Research and Development (R&D), skills and innovation and to enhance the provision of public
services on the island;
• Deliver a multi-faceted programme for Social Inclusion and improvements in the quality of life
across all age groups, and among all population cohorts; and
• Provide Value for Taxpayers’ Money through robust and transparent appraisal, management
and monitoring systems for NDP investment.
1.5 INTER-REGIONAL ISSUES AND NORTHERN IRELAND
The Border Region is bounded by Northern Ireland, the West, Midlands and Mid-East Regional Authorities
in Ireland, and its location relative to these is outlined in figure 1.2 below. There are a considerable number
of interregional issues for the Border Region, its location being strategic in that it borders with Northern
Ireland and provides a key link between the two principal cities on the Island. It also extends from the busy
eastern corridor to the more peripheral underdeveloped, culturally distinct areas in the west. It is defined in
places by Ireland’s most significant inland waterway, the River Shannon, and has a number of settlements
which straddle borders into other Regions. In this regard, the key interregional matters which will be
addressed and developed with the adjoining Regions and with Northern Ireland, are set out in the diagram
on the following page.
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