It’s claimed the adoption of a new economic strategy for Clare will be the key to tackling local service deficits.
The local economic and community plan for 2024 to 2030 is the first blueprint of its kind to be prepared by any local authority nationwide.
The plan has set out six high-level goals for the county which aim to tackle inequality and deprivation while improving healthcare, housing, education, retail, industry, public transport and agricultural resources.
The plan was compiled following extensive stakeholder engagement with a number of local organisations including Clare Traveller Development, An Garda Síochana, The Clare Youth Service, Clare Older People’s Council and the IFA.
Chair of the Public Policy Advisors Network, Dr Sean O’Riordan says the evidence based approach will ensure future government decisions affecting Clare are fully informed.
The strategy is also underpinned by 36 key objectives which will aim to remove the barriers such as poverty, access to technology and background to enable a just transition towards a carbon neutral society.
Among the key findings involved in the report is that 17% of this county’s population was born outside of Ireland and that more than a fifth of Clare’s population have some form of disability.
The research also shows Clare’s population is ageing faster than the rest of the country, with 4,000 fewer people living in this county between the age of 26 to 40 at present than in 2011.
Clare County Council Rural and Community Development Administrative Officer Brendan Boyce believes the plan will be able to tackle these challenges and bring far-reaching benefits.
You can listen to the full interview below.
