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Contents

Page No

Message from the Cathaoirleach ....................................................................... 2

Director’s Statement .......................................................................................... 3

Background ...................................................................................................... 4

Meetings and Membership of the:

• Regional Assembly........................................................................................ 5

• Sub-Committees............................................................................................ 8

• Monitoring Committees.................................................................................. 11

Assembly Representation on Other Committees................................................... 12

Progress Report on Regional Operational Programme 2007- 2013....................... 13

EU Funded Programmes: Cross Border, Transnational & Interregional Cooperation(Interreg IVA, IVB & IVC Territorial Cooperation Programme).............................. 19

Interreg IVA: Cross Border Cooperation Programme

• Ireland Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013............................ 20

Interreg IVB: North West Europe

• North West Europe Programme 2007-2013 ..................................................... 23

• Atlantic Area Programme 2007-2013 ............................................................. 29Atlant-Kis Project

• Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013 ..................................................... 31

Interreg IVC: Interregional Co-operation............................................................. 32

• PIMMS Capital Project ................................................................................... 33

Atlantic Gateways Initiative ............................................................................... 35

Report on Activities during 2010 ........................................................................ 36

Conferences/Seminars ...................................................................................... 48

Staff of Regional Assembly ................................................................................ 49

Annual Financial Statements .............................................................................. 52

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Cathaoirleach’s Message

As Cathaoirleach of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, it gives me great pleasure to presentthe twelfth Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Regional Assembly for the year 2010. Sincethe establishment of the two Regional Assemblies in 1999, they have had an enormously successfulimpact in the management of the various EU co-financed programmes, which are of huge significanceto the enhancement and promotion of regional development.

During 2010, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly continued its’ main function in themanagement of the Regional Operational Programme and the Ireland-Wales Programme. Themanagement of these programmes ensures that our region benefits from receipt of the necessary fundsto aid in the betterment of the region.

A number of exciting activities took place during 2010, particularly our Annual Conference which washeld in Kinsale, Co. Cork in May 2010. A number of distinguished guest speakers addressed theattendees on the theme of Supporting Renewable Energy Opportunities in the Southern & EasternRegion. This conference proved to be our most successful to date, with an excellent attendance rate andparticularly positive feedback from all those present.

Another highlight for me was a study visit to Finland at the end of November when I got the opportunityto see at first hand how innovation is being promoted in the regions and how broadband is beingdelivered to sparsely populated rural areas, issues of common interest to us in this Region.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to my fellow councillors on the Regional Assembly and its sub-committees for their input throughout the year, and I would like to pay particular gratitude to Cllr. KevinMurphy, my predecessor as Cathaoirleach. I also wish to thank the Director, Stephen Blair and the staffof the Regional Assembly for the excellent service and support they provide.

Cllr. John RyanCathaoirleach

It is with pleasure that I welcome the publication of the twelfth Annual Report and Financial Statementfor the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly. As will be seen from this report a diverse range ofevents and activities took place during the year.

The management of the Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013 remains one of our corefunctions, along with the management of the cross-border maritime Ireland-Wales Programme 2007-2013. A summary of progress in 2010 on these programmes is contained within this report.

2010 also saw the formal closure of the 2000-06 Regional Operational Programme with the submissionof the Final Implementation Report and Final Claim to the European Commission by the end ofSeptember deadline. The compilation of this final report & claim was a huge undertaking by allconcerned, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my staff, and the staff in the relevantDepartments and Agencies for the exceptional work they put in over many months in 2010 tosuccessfully close the Programme. We look forward to receiving the final approval of the Commissionin 2011, including receiving the final payment to the Programme.

The assembly became actively involved in a number of publicity campaigns aimed towards promotingpublic awareness of the Operational Programme and the work of the Regional Assembly. This includedour annual major publicity event which in 2010 took place in Kinsale on the theme of renewableenergy. Also during the year we jointly commissioned with the BMW Assembly a major attitudinal andawareness survey on the knowledge and awareness of European Structural Funds among the generalpopulation. The report of the findings of the survey conducted by Drury Research, is available on ourwebsite, which itself was upgraded during the year.

2010 also saw the Assembly becoming involved in a number of new EU Projects, such as an AtlanticArea project on Knowledge Intensive Services (AtlantKIS), and an INTERREG IVC fast track project onsustainable travel, together with partners in Limerick City Council.

All in all, 2010 was an extremely busy year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of thestaff for their continued commitment and dedication over the year. I would also like to thank theCathaoirleach and all the Members of the Assembly for their active participation and interest in the workof the Assembly.

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Director’s Statement

Stephen BlairDirector

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Background

The regionalisation arrangements negotiated by Ireland in the context of the Agenda 2000 Agreementresulted in the designation of two regions in Ireland for Structural Funds Purposes:

• The Southern and Eastern Region (S&E Region) and• The Border, Midland and Western Region (BMW Region)

Following this designation, two new Regional Assemblies where established and came into effect onthe 21st July 1999 under the Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order,1999. The Assemblies comprise of nominated elected representatives of the regional authorities withintheir Region.

The principal functions of the Regional Assemblies are:

• To promote the co-ordination of public services in the Southern and Eastern Region;• To manage the Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013;• Managing Authority of the Ireland-Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013;• Monitor and make proposals in relation to the general impact of their regions of all E.U.

Programmes of assistance under the Community Support Framework;• Make public bodies aware of the regional implications of their policies, plans and activities.

The headquarters of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly is in Waterford City.

The Regional Assembly normally meets on the second Friday of every second month throughout the yearat the Headquarters of the Assembly. There were five Assembly meetings held during the year. Theaverage attendances for the meetings in 2010 was 74%

Members of the Assembly are nominated by the constituent Local Authorities in the Region in proportionto the size of the Local Authority’s population. The breakdown is as follows:

To be nominated, a person must be both a member of a Local Authority and Regional Authority.In all, there are forty-one members of the Regional Assembly.

The political breakdown of the Assembly is as follows:

Fine Gael 19Labour 14Fianna Fáil 3Sinn Féin 2Independent 2Green Party 1

The Gender breakdown of the elected members is as follows:

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Meetings and Membership of the Assembly

Carlow Co Co. 1 Limerick City Co. 1

Clare Co Co. 2 Limerick Co Co. 2

Cork City Co. 2 Meath Co Co. 2

Cork Co Co. 4 North Tipperary Co Co. 1

Dublin City Co. 7 South Dublin Co Co. 3

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Co. 2 South Tipperary Co Co. 1

Fingal Co Co. 2 Waterford City Co. 1

Kerry Co Co. 2 Waterford Co Co. 1

Kildare Co Co. 2 Wexford Co Co. 2

Kilkenny Co Co. 1 Wicklow Co Co. 2

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Female 5 5 7 7 7 7 8 10 10 11 4 4Male 36 36 34 34 34 34 33 31 31 30 37 37

Total 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41

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Membership of the Assembly 2010

Cllr Murphy Kevin Wints Mills, Killany, Kinsale, Co Cork(Cathaoirleach 09-10)

Cllr Ryan John ‘Huntingdon’, 13 Ardmore Lawn, Bray, Co Wicklow(Cathaoirleach 10-11)

Cllr Bourke Paddy 13 Montrose Grove, Artane, Dublin 5Cllr Bermingham Brian 12 Woodbrook Grove, Bishopstown, CorkCllr Breathnach Tomás Forge Road, Narabane, Kilmacow, Co. KilkennyCllr Brennan Joe Millers Rest, Grangemockler, Carrick-on-SuirCllr Burke Christy 11 Cherrymount Cresent, Malahide Road, Dublin 3Cllr Byrne Clare 30 Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8Cllr Byrne Ciaran 41 South Strand, Skerries, Co. DublinCllr Crowe Sean 16 Faiche an Raithin, Tamhlacht, Baile Ata Cliath 24Cllr Culhane Aidan 172 Meadow Grove, Dundrum, Dublin 16Cllr Devitt Anne Lispopple, Swords, Co.DublinCllr Ellis Dessie 19 Dunsink Road, Finglas West, Dublin 11Cllr Fegan Jimmy Clonefane, Trim, Co. MeathCllr Fleming Dan Dawstown, Balrney, Co CorkCllr Freehill Mary 77 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6Cllr Geoghegan Damien 64 Silversprings, Dungarvan, Co WaterfordCllr Griffin Senan Ballygoran, Maznooth, Co. KildareCllr Holloway James Fargansown, Boyne Road, Navan, Co. MeathCllr Howlin Ted Rocklands, WexfordCllr Humphreys Kevin 14 O’Connell Gardens, Bath Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4Cllr Kavanagh Paddy Drumgoold Lower, Enniscorthz, Co WexfordCllr Kavanagh Conal 12 Springfield, Wicklow TownCllr Kearns Pamela 203 Orwell Park Heights, Templeogue, Dublin 6WCllr Keary Stephen Clogh, Croagh, Co. LimerickCllr Kelly P.J. Lissycassey, Co. ClareCllr Kinsella Thomas Kilcumney, Goresbridge, Co KilkennyCllr Lacey Dermot 66 Beechill Drive, Donnybrook, Dublin 4Cllr Lawlor Brian 5 Killakee gardens, Firhouse, Dublin 4Cllr Lowry Michéal Glenreigh, Holycross, Thurles, Co. TipperaryCllr Lombard Tim Granig, Minane Bridge, Co. CorkCllr McCarthy Denis 4 Siul na Habhann, Corbally, LimberickCllr McGinley John 50 Greenfield Park, Maynooth, Co. KildareCllr Meaney Brian Ballymacooda, Darragh, Ennis, Co. ClareCllr Mulvihill John Tay Road, Cobh, Co CorkCllr Murphy Dara 1, Herbert Park, Gardiners Hill, CorkCllr O’Connell Bobby 15 Main Street, Castleisland, KerryCllr O’Flynn Denis 1 Dunvale, Rise, Frankfield, Douglas, CorkCllr Purtill Liam Main Street, Ballylongford, Co. KerryCllr Saul Barry 3 Mather Road North, Mount Merrion, Co. DublinCllr Walsh Jack 33 Grange Heights, WaterfordCllr Walsh Leo Lower Raheen, Ballyneety, Co. Limerick

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Members & Staff of the Regional Assembly At the Annual Meetingon 3rd September 2010

Staff of the Regional Assembly

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The establishment of the sub-committees arises from the requirement to provide a forum where pertinentissues can be discussed in detail and allow for greater input from elected members, regional authorityrepresentatives and public bodies in the S&E region. The Committees are chaired by a Member of theAssembly who is required to brief the Assembly on the work of the Committee.

The main functions of the sub-committee are:

• To review the implementation of the Operational Programme and put forward recommendationsarising from this review;

• To review the implementation of the various sub-programmes of the S&E Regional OperationalProgramme and put forward recommendations arising from this review;

• To be briefed on the outcomes of the Monitoring Committee of the Operational Programme bythe Assembly Member and Observer who represent the S&E Region on the Monitoring Committee;

• To advise and inform the S&E Regional Assembly in relation to broad (sub-programme) issues;

• To request representatives of relevant Government Departments and Agencies to attend and address meetings of the sub-committee.

The Sub-Committees of the Regional Assembly normally meet on the second Friday of every secondmonth throughout the year at the Headquarters of the Assembly. There were five meetings of each sub-committee held during 2010. The average attendance rate of Assembly members at sub-committeemeetings was 68%.At the Assembly meeting held on 9th July 2010, Members opted to reduce the number of sub-committeesfrom four to three. There was also a change in the focus of some sub-committees to reflect the prioritiesand themes of the Regional Operational Programme 2007 – 2013.

Sub-Committees of the Regional Assembly 2010:

1. Infrastructure & Enterprise Promotion Sub-Committee

2. Regional & Rural Affairs Sub-Committee

3. Employment & Social Inclusion Sub-Committee

Meetings and Membership of the Sub-Committees

Infrastructure & Enterprise Promotion

Bourke Paddy Cllr. Regional AssemblyByrne Ciaran Cllr. Regional AssemblyCulhane Aidan Cllr. Regional AssemblyDevitt Anne Cllr. Regional AssemblyFreehill Mary Cllr. Regional AssemblyHolloway James Cllr. Regional AssemblyLacey Dermot Cllr. Regional AssemblyLawlor Brian Cllr. Regional AssemblyLowry Micheal Cllr. Regional AssemblyMcGinley John Cllr. Regional AssemblyMurphy Dara Cllr. Regional AssemblyO’Connell Bobby Cllr. Regional AssemblyPurtill Liam Cllr. Regional AssemblyRyan John Cllr. Regional AssemblySaul Barry Cllr. Regional Assembly

Breen Gary Head of Operations Failte Ireland, South EastBuckley Fiona Head of Operations Failte Ireland, South West

Byrne Tom Director South East Regional AuthorityConneally Liam Director Mid-West Regional AuthorityCoyle Peter Cllr. (Cathaoirleach) Dublin Regional AuthorityCrockett Joe D/Manager South East Regional Authority

Davy Cormac Network Project South E.S.B.Dowling Tom D/Manager Mid East Regional AuthorityEgan Michael Corporate Affairs National Roads AuthorityFinn Tom Manager C.I.E.Forde John Director South West Regional AuthorityHoran Joe D / Manager Dublin Regional AuthorityKearney Willie Distribution Manager Bord GaisKeating Brendan CEO Port of CorkLoughnane Olivia R, D & C Director Shannon DevelopmentMcEvoy Mary Development Executive Enterprise IrelandMcLoughlin Seamus Head of Operations Dublin Port CompanyMcIlvenny Stan CEO Port of WaterfordMurphy Gerry District Manager CoiltePotter Patricia Director Dublin Regional AuthorityWalsh Michael City Manager Waterford City Council

Crotty Sharon Programme Executive Regional Assembly - Secretariat

The Membership of the three sub-committees is as follows:

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Employment and Social Inclusion

Regional and Rural Affairs

Burke Christy Cllr. Regional AssemblyByrne Clare Cllr. Regional AssemblyCrowe Sean Cllr. Regional AssemblyEllis Dessie Cllr. Regional AssemblyFegan Jim Cllr. Regional AssemblyGriffin Senan Cllr. Regional AssemblyHowlin Ted Cllr. Regional AssemblyHumphreys Kevin Cllr. Regional AssemblyKavanagh Conal Cllr. Regional AssemblyKearns Pamela Cllr. Regional AssemblyO’Flynn Denis Cllr. Regional AssemblyWalsh Jack Cllr. Regional Assembly

Byrne John Director Mid East Regional AuthorityConway Con Manager An PostCoughlan Jim Regional Director FAS South East RegionCummins John Cllr. (Cathaoirleach) South East Regional AuthorityFahy Ger Cllr. (Cathaoirleach) Mid-West Regional AuthorityHurley Sean Project Manager H.S.E. South

Maurus Sonja Programme Executive Regional Assembly - Secretariat

Breathnach Tomas Cllr. Regional AssemblyBrennan Joe Cllr. Regional AssemblyFleming Dan Cllr. Regional AssemblyGeoghegan Damien Cllr. Regional AssemblyKavanagh Paddy Cllr. Regional AssemblyKeary Stephen Cllr. Regional AssemblyKelly P.J. Cllr. Regional AssemblyKinsella Thomas Cllr. Regional AssemblyLombard Tom Cllr. Regional AssemblyMcCarthy Denis Cllr. Regional AssemblyMeaney Brian Cllr. Regional AssemblyMulvihill John Cllr. Regional AssemblyMurphy Kevin Cllr. Regional AssemblyWalsh Leo Cllr. Regional Assembly

Campion Suzanne Head of Business Inland Fisheries IrelandDevelopment

Moloney John Area Manager TeagascO’Hanlon Kieren Director Shannon Est. PortsDunphy Vincent Programme Executive Regional Assembly - Secretariat

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Meetings and Membership of the Southern andEastern Regional Operational ProgrammeMonitoring Committee 2007-2013

Each of the Operational Programmes contained in the National Development Plan are required to havea Monitoring Committee. The overall role of the Monitoring committee is to satisfy itself as to theeffectiveness and quality of the implementation of all expenditure under the Regional OperationalProgramme. It is open to the Monitoring Committee to consider the progress and impact of both co-financed and non co-financed expenditure and to make recommendations in this regard to the Southernand Eastern Regional Assembly, the relevant Implementing Departments and the Department of Finance.

The 2007-2013 Programme Monitoring Committee meet on an annual basis to review the previousyears’ progress. The fourth meeting of the Committee was held on the 28th April 2010. A secondMonitoring Committee meeting was held in December 2010 to present preliminary findings of the Mid-Term Evaluation of the S&E Operational Programme 2007-2013.

The Regional Assembly provides the Chair and Secretariat for the Monitoring Committees of theSouthern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013. Membership of the MonitoringCommittee for the Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programmes were as follows:

Membership - 2007-2013 Monitoring Committee

Managing Authority Number of positions Mr Stephen Blair, Director ChairCathaoirleach Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly 1Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly 5Implementing Departments / BodiesDepartment of Finance 1Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 2Department of Education and Science 1Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources 1

Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government 1Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism 1Department of Transport 1Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs 1Regional InterestsCathaoirleach, South-West Regional Authority 1Cathaoirleach,Mid-West Regional Authority 1Cathaoirleach,Dublin Regional Authority 1Cathaoirleach,South-East Regional Authority 1Cathaoirleach, Mid-East Regional Authority 1Social PartnersIBEC 1 ICTU 1SIPTU 1Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association 1Irish Co-operative Organisation Society 1Macra na Feirme 1Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association 1Irish Farmers Association 1

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Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly Representationon Committees

Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme Monitoring CommitteeCathaoirleach (ex-officio); Cllr. M. Freehill; Cllr. T. Lombard; Cllr. J. Mulvihill; Cllr. B. O’Connell

NDP Monitoring CommitteeCathaoirleach (ex-officio)

NRSA Monitoring CommitteeCathaoirleach (ex-officio)

Human Capital Investment Programme Monitoring CommitteeCllr. Conal Kavanagh

Rural Development Programme Monitoring CommitteeCllr. Joe Brennan

Fisheries Programme Monitoring CommitteeCllr. Damien Geoghegan

Irish Public Bodies Mutual InsurancesCathaoirleach

Operational CommitteeCathaoirleach, Cllr. Leo Walsh

Interreg IVA Ireland-Wales Programme Monitoring CommitteeMr. Stephen Blair, Director (Joint Chair), Cllr. Aidan Culhane, Cllr. P. Kavanagh, Cllr. S. Griffin

Interreg IVA Ireland-Wales Programme Steering CommitteeMr David Kelly, Assistant Director (Joint Chair)

Interreg IVB North-West Europe Programme Monitoring & Steering CommitteesMr. David Kelly, Assistant Director

Interreg IVC West Zone Programme Monitoring & Steering CommitteesMr Stephen Blair, Director

Horizontal InterestsEnvironmental Policy : Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government 1Equality and Gender Equality: Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform 1Office of Social Inclusion 1North South Co-OperationSpecial EU Programmes Body 1Observers/AdvisorsD.G. Regio, European Commission 3Director Mid-East Regional Authority 1Director South-West Regional Authority 1Director Mid-West Regional Authority 1Director South-West Regional Authority 1Director Dublin Regional Authority 1ERDF Certifying Authority : Department of Finance 1Enterprise Ireland 1Higher Education Authority 1Sustainable Energy Ireland 1Equality Authority 1Combat Poverty Agency 1Comhar 1Environmental Protection Agency 1

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Progress Report on the Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013

Overview of ImplementationThe main focus of the Managing Authority in 2010 was on the continued implementation of the Southern& Eastern Regional Operational Programme. Most of the co-funded themes are now operational andexpenditure at 31st December 2010 was €444.553m and expenditure of €3.332m is reported forthe non co-funded strands. In the 4th year of implementation of the programme many of the finalphysical targets are well on the way to being realised. The Managing Authority initiated an ERDF co-funded Gateway Grant Scheme to ensure activity under the Sustainable Urban Development priority.There was very little activity in some of the exchequer only funded schemes due to the current economiccrisis and resultant impact on the public finances.

Research enhancement programmes in third level institutions, supports to small businesses in the shapeof capital and training grants, extension of broadband availability to rural areas is just a flavour of thetype of projects delivered under the S&E Programme. Renewable energy projects also feature stronglywith prototype Ocean Energy projects such as the Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre in UCC anda number of Energy for Business schemes receiving funding.

Priority 1: Innovation and the Knowledge EconomyIntroductionThe overall objective of this Priority is to develop further, in accordance with the Lisbon Agendaobjectives, the knowledge, R&D, innovation and innovation and entrepreneurial base of the Region’seconomy and to support collaboration and technology transfer between research institutions and thebusiness sector in order to boost the Region’s growth and competitiveness. Cumulative public eligibleexpenditure to end December 2010 is reported as €367.618m.

This Priority is divided into three separate but related Themes as follows:1. Development of the Region’s RTDI capacity2. Entrepreneurship in MicroEnterprise3. Experimental Innovative Actions

The choice of Themes reflects the importance of ensuring the continued development of the Region’sresearch and development and innovation capacity as key contributors to the achievement of innovationand knowledge economy objectives and of enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of small firms.

Representatives from Intermediate Bodies at the 6thMonitoring Committee meeting, convened to consider theprogress achieved in 2010

Staff of the Managing Authority at the 6th PrgrammeMonitoring Committee

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Overall, Priority 1 (Innovation and the Knowledge Economy) is reporting expenditure in excess of theamount profiled for the priority mainly due to the performance of the PRTLI sub theme. Themes 1(Development of the Region’s RTDI Capacity) and 2 are at varying states of progress. However, Theme3 has yet to commence, as exchequer funding has not to date been provided.

Theme 1: Development of Regions RTDI CapacityTheme 1 consists of 4 sub-themes:

Sub-Theme 1: Applied Research Enhancement (ARE)Up to December 2010, funding has been awarded to 5 new Applied Research Centres in the S&Eregion. No new ARE Centre was approved in 2010 due to budgetary constraints. In 2008, EnterpriseIreland restructured the Applied Research Enhancement Programme. The ARE programme is currentlybeing reviewed, including amongst other details the PIONEER strand. A revised ARE programme willbe launched mid 2011. Cumulative expenditure on the ARE sub theme from 2007 to end December2010 was €8.1m including 2010 expenditure of €1.187m.

Sub-Theme 2: Commercialisation FundThe objective of the programme is to foster a dynamic and commercially aware research communityand to create an environment that promotes entrepreneurship. In so doing an accessible route tocommercialisation is established for the transfer of knowledge from the research base into industry. Aspart of its commitment to facilitating the commercialisation of research, EI provides a range of supportsunder the Commercialisation Fund. These include a Proof of Concept Programme, a TechnologyDevelopment Programme and Commercialisation Plus funding. Under the Programme to end December2010, 360 Commercialisation Fund proposals were approved. In 2010, due to budgetary constraintsthere was one call for proposals. A total of 91 proposals were submitted from the S&E region and 21projects were approved for funding. For budgetary reasons, the advance payment for the 1st stage ofprojects approved in 2010 was 70%. The Commercialisation Plus support remained open in 2010providing funding to those completed projects which had entered discussions with industry partners orwhere a spin-out prospect had been identified and there was a need to de-risk the technology prior tolicensing and/or address specific market validation issues. In 2010, 7 C+ projects were funded in theSE region. It is anticipated that a number of new initiatives under this sub theme will come on streamin 2011 and these are detailed in the sub theme progress report. Licenses achieved as a result offunded research exceeded the original target of 40 by a measure of 3 as at December 2010.Cumulative Expenditure on this sub theme for the period 2007 – end 2010 was €75.672m.

Sub-Theme 3: Incubation Centre DevelopmentThis Intervention is concerned with the provision of supports and business space within the environmentof a third level institution that will advance the development of emerging high potential start-upcompanies. The measure provides for the development of the infrastructure of the Institutes of Technologyand the Universities by the provision of Incubation Centres. These Centres facilitate thecommercialisation of research and development projects carried out by the incubating companies. Thecolleges are also encouraged to provide dedicated mentoring and support services to incubatorfacilities. Nine centres are open for business and are operating successfully. Up to December 31st2010, there were 123 companies incubating in 9 centres employing an estimated 600 people. Theextension to the existing centre in Cork was completed and became operational during 2010 while theconstruction of the centre at the University of Limerick was continuing with a completion scheduled inQ3 2011. The extension to the facility at IT Blanchardstown was also completed during 2010.Cumulative Public expenditure on the sub theme to end 2010 was approximately €3.0m.

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Sub-Theme 4: Building the Research Capacity & Capability within Higher Education InstitutionsThe Programme is designed to facilitate Irish institutions to produce world class research, supportsresearch in humanities, science, technology and the social sciences, including business and law. It alsorewards innovation and collaboration in higher education and also supports the development ofinfrastructural foundations, quality enhanced activities and graduate programmes for the training ofincreased numbers of PhD’s. Projects under PRTLI’s Cycle 4 and 5 fall within the Regional OP’s. In April2010 a Government decision was made transferring responsibility for the Programme from theDepartment of Education and Skills to that of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and in July 2010 Cycle5 of the PRTLI was launched. Cycle 5 has an overall value of €348 million and will support key areasof economic development such as services innovation, food and drink,pharmaceuticals/biopharmaceuticals, medical technologies, ICT, culture and creative sectors, andenergy and environment. Approval for institutions to proceed with PRTLI Cycle 5 issued in December2010. Cumulative Expenditure to end 2010 was €230.743m. This programme contributes directlytowards building Ireland‟s research capacity and the development of a knowledge based economy.

Theme 2: Entrepreneurship in MicroEnterpriseThe theme is designed to achieve over the term of the Programme increased rates of business start-upand expansion, and increased competitiveness, innovation and technological adaptation by micro-enterprises. The Theme is delivered through the 22 City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) locatedin the S&E region. On 1st January 2010 new financial instruments, approved for use by the Boards,came into effect, the details of which are included in the Theme Progress report they are designed toencourage innovative and sustainable start up enterprises and support expansion of existing smallenterprises where possible. An analysis of the Performance Indicators for the Theme show that thenumber of jobs created in CEB assisted Micro Enterprises has fallen by 3,511 since 2008 mirroringthe steep economic downturn experienced by the economy as a whole.

Theme 3: Experimental Innovation ActionsTheme 3 has yet to commence, as exchequer funding has not been provided to date.

Priority 2: Environment and AccessibilityIntroductionFunding is provided under the priority to stimulate energy efficiency and renewable energy production,the development of efficient energy management systems. The Renewable Energy Theme is designedto assist Ireland in devising and implementing the most efficient means to reduce its reliance on importedfossil fuels. A key objective of the priority is to increase broadband take-up throughout the region inorder to contribute to the sustainable development of the Region. A further aim of this priority is tocontribute to the sustainable development of the rural areas of the region by protecting surface andgroundwater from pollution.

The priority objectives will be pursued under three separate Themes as follows:• Environment and Risk Prevention• Renewable Energy• ICT Accessibility

During 2010, sub-themes in the Renewable Energy and the ICT Accessibility Themes reportedexpenditure. In relation to the Environment and Risk Prevention Theme which includes water sourceprotection and pilot village waste-water initiatives, the roll out will commence once the two pilot projectshave been completed and fully assessed.

The cumulative Priority level expenditure to end December 2010 is reported as €61.907 million whichrepresents 95.24% of the Priority level forecast expenditure.

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Theme 1: Environment & Risk Prevention No expenditure has reported under this Theme in 2010. The Department of Environment, Heritage &Local Government, in partnership with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes hasimplemented a national pilot source protection scheme with the objective of putting in place a nationalstrategy for the protection of surface and ground water sources from agricultural pollution,commercial/industrial and residential sources. The pilot programme is being co-ordinated through theScience Dept. Dundalk Institute of Technology. The Wastewater Treatment Pilot Projects advanced bythe Department, the National Rural Water Monitoring Committee and the local authorities wascompleted in 2007. The objective of the project is to assess new cost effective ways of providing awastewater collection and treatment systems for small rural villages and to test a range of innovativetechnologies for collecting and treating domestic wastewater and include conventional and membranebased package treatment plants as well as vacuum sewers as opposed to traditional gravity andpumped systems. It is expected that liaison with local authorities on the identification and selection ofschemes for inclusion in this intervention will continue with an expected commencement in 2011 for bothof these sub-themes.

Theme 2: Renewable Energy Cumulative Eligible Expenditure reported for the Renewable Energy Theme is €28.67m. Implementationhas continued on the Renewable Energy, Research & Development and Deployment Programme, theCHP & ReHeat (Bioheat) Programme and the Energy for Business Programme. However the RenewableHeat Deployment and CHP Deployment Programmes have closed with no further projects being fundedunder these initiatives after end 2010. The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) has beenestablished to implement the Government’s policy decision to accelerate the development of OceanEnergy (Wave and Tidal) in Ireland. It was established to advance the deployment of ocean energytechnologies in Ireland by increasing the capacity for research and development both with academicinstitutions and commercial entities developing devices in Ireland.The expanding remit of SEAI has enabled them to shape the development and delivery of a number ofcore initiatives, additional to the ones foreseen at the commencement of the National Strategic ReferenceFramework as is instanced with the inclusion of the Ocean Energy Development strand.

Theme 3: ICT Accessibility Cumulative expenditure for the ICT Accessibility Theme is €36.508m. The National Broadband Scheme(NBS), launched in January 2009, achieved its contractual target of making broadband available byAutumn 2010 in all of the designated areas in the NBS Coverage Area. Broadband services under theNBS are available, since October 2010, throughout each of the 1,028 designated Electoral Divisionswithin the NBS Coverage Area, of which 47% are located within the S&E Region. To end 2010 totalexpenditure on the NBS amounted to €33,237m. The target number of additional businesses withaccess to broadband has been met and stands at 25,991 as at end December 2010.

Priority 3: Sustainable Urban Development PriorityIntroductionThis Priority seeks to enhance the attractiveness of the designated Gateways and Hubs in the Regionas places to live in, to work in and to invest in. It is intended to complement Priorities 1 and 2 as wellas any other investment strategies which are supporting the implementation of the National SpatialStrategy. A central aim is to support and complement efforts to ensure that the cities and towns maximisetheir potential. In particular this Priority will complement the substantial investment which is plannedunder the new National Development Plan 2007 – 2013 in support the objectives of the NSS for urbanareas, and in particular the Gateways Innovation Fund. It is intended that there will be three Themesunder this Priority, one focused on the four designated Gateways, one on the designated six Hubs, anda third complementary Theme dealing with inter-Gateway collaboration.

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Due to budgetary constraints and consequent slow progress in the delivery of this Priority, the ManagingAuthority introduced the ERDF Gateway Grant Scheme in 2009. Under this theme, grant assistance wasmade available for the 4 NSS Gateways in the Southern & Eastern Region (Dublin, Cork,Limerick/Shannon and Waterford) for projects to improve the Gateways economically, environmentally,socially, and/or culturally and which fell within the scope of Article 8 of Commission Regulation1080/2006. A total of €11m was available for allocation as grant assistance at a maximum grant rateof 50%. The matching 50% must come from the Local Authority’s own resources, which may not entailborrowing. Following an approvals process the successful projects are as follows:

Cork Gateway: €2.80 millionThis is to co-finance the entire costs of the Christ Church project under which it is proposed to beconverted into an Arts Centre in conjunction with the adjoining Triskel Arts centre. (Grant amount€2.18m), plus the Phase I costs of the St Luke’s project consisting of essential conservation works to beundertaken to ensure the fabric and integrity of the building is protected.

Dublin Gateway: €2.4 millionThis grant is in respect of the Smithfield project and consists of the completion of the Public Realmimprovements to the square.

Limerick/Shannon Gateway: €3.0 millionThis grant is in respect of the Limerick city centre project and consists of the ‘Crossroads’ public transporthub and public realm enhancement works.

Waterford Gateway: €2.76 millionThe Waterford proposal consists of two separate but related projects. The first and largest projectconsists of the restoration and conversion of a collection of adjoining buildings (including a ProtectedStructure) in the city centre in Council ownership into a crystal manufacturing and visitor centre. Therelated second project is located nearby and consists of extending and upgrading the Bolton Street carpark to provide a dedicated tourist coach parking area, which was lacking in the city. The grant is inrespect of the total costs of both projects.Cumulative Expenditure to date on the Scheme amounts to €13.77m 40% of which is co-funded.

During 2010 progress was mixed with the Crystal manufacturing centre in Waterford opening to thepublic in June 2010 and the Cork project nearing completion by December 2010 with an officialopening to the public planned for April 2011. Progress on the remaining 2 projects in Limerick andDublin lagged behind due to planning and technical delays but construction work on both had begunby end 2010. In light of this the Steering Committee of the Scheme decided to extend the period bywhich works under the Scheme had to be completed by a year to 31st December 2011.

Priority 4: Technical AssistanceIntroductionThe overall objective of the Technical Assistance Priority is to support the management, evaluation andmonitoring of the Regional Operational Programme. Under this Priority, expenditure which is inaccordance with Article 46 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1083/2006 shall be eligible to cover costsincurred by the Managing Authority (or agencies acting on its behalf) in relation to the overallmanagement of the Operational Programme. The Technical Assistance Priority also covers the cost ofrecoupment of approved costs of the EU Operational Committees of the Regional Authorities (at NUTSIII level). The Technical Assistance priority covers the appropriate costs of the ERDF Financial ControlUnit and other specialist units within the Department of Finance as well as the costs of the managementcontrols undertaken by the Managing Authority.

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The Priority is administered by the Regional Assembly under the general control of the OperationalProgramme Monitoring Committee. During the twelve month period from January to December 2009,the Managing Authority continued to implement the necessary arrangements to allow it to fulfil itsresponsibilities in relation to the Regional Operational Programme and the Structural Funds as a whole.The Regional Assemblies and their EU Operational Committees also continued with their responsibilitiesto examine and monitor EU-funded expenditure in their regions, and to serve on the MonitoringCommittees on which they are represented.

The Mid-Term Evaluation on the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme is beingconducted by the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit in the Department of Finance. A draft report wasproduced in late 2010 and presented to members of the Monitoring Committee at a special meetingheld on 14th December 2010. It is anticipated that the Mid-term Evaluation Report will be finalised inearly 2011.

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EU Funded ProgrammesCross Border, Transnational & Interregional Cooperation

INTERREG IV 2007-2013 Territorial Cooperation Objective

Cohesion Policy is the policy behind the hundreds of thousands of projects all over Europe that receivefunding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) – thetwo ‘Structural Funds’ – and the Cohesion Fund. Economic and social cohesion – as defined in the1986 Single European Act – is about ‘reducing disparities between the various regions and thebackwardness of the least-favoured regions.’

Cohesion policy encourages regions and cities from different EU Member States to work together andlearn from each other through joint programmes, projects and networks. In the period 2007-2013 theEuropean Territorial Co-operation objective (formerly the INTERREG Community Initiative) covers threetypes of programmes:

• INTERREG IVA – Cross Border Co-Operation Programmes52 cross-border co-operation programmes along internal EU borders. ERDF contribution: €5.6 billion

• INTERREG IVB – Transnational Co-Operation Programmes13 transnational co-operation programmes cover larger areas of co-operation such as the BalticSea, Alpine and Mediterranean regions, and North West Europe. ERDF contribution: €1.8 billion

• INTERREG IVC – Interregional Co-Operation ProgrammeThe interregional co-operation programme (INTERREG IVC) and 3 networking programmes(Urbact II, Interact II and ESPON) cover all 27 Member States of the EU. They provide aframework for exchanging experience between regional and local bodies in different countries. ERDF contribution: €445 million

The European Territorial Co-operation objective is financed by the European Regional DevelopmentFund (ERDF) and supports cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation programmes. Thebudget of €8.7 billion for this objective accounts for 2.5% of the total 2007-2013 allocation forcohesion policy.

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly has a delivery role in a number of INTERREG TerritorialCooperation programmes:

INTERREG IVA Ireland Wales Programme Managing & Certifying Authority, JTSINTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme PMC and PSC representation; Irish

Contact Point and First Level ControlINTERREG IVB Atlantic Area Programme INTERREG IVB Northern Periphery Programme PMC representation and First Level ControlINTERREG IVC PMC and PSC representation and

First Level Control

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Interreg IVA: Cross-border Co-operation

Ireland-Wales Programme 2007-2013

The Regional Assembly is the Managing and Certifying Authority for the Ireland-Wales Programme 2007-2013. The Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS), part of theRegional Assembly, is based in Waterford and responsible for the dailymanagement of the Programme in association with the Welsh Assembly.

BackgroundThe Ireland-Wales Programme is part of the Strand A Cross-border Programmes,which focuses on co-operation between adjacent border regions to ensure integrated regionaldevelopment through common strategies. The Programme is based on the Lisbon and GothenburgAgendas. With an overall grant budget of €52m ERDF, the Programme focuses on supporting jointprojects to co-operate on issues under two key priorities:

Priority 1: Knowledge, Innovation and Skills for Growth:• Innovation and Competitiveness • Skills and Competitiveness for Employment Integration

Priority 2: Climate Change and Sustainable Regeneration:• Climate Change and Sustainable Development• Sustainable Regeneration of Communities

This Programme is seeking projects that aim to jointly address the challenges laid out in EU, Irish andWelsh policies and have a positive impact on local communities in the cross-border area.

Calls for ProposalsInterest in the programme remained strong and the programme opened 2 calls for proposals in 2010.The JTS launched the 4th call in February which closed in June and received 21 applications.

Following PMC approval, a pilot call for larger scale strategic projects was launched in April andclosed in May where the JTS received 3 applications.

The Steering Committees met in March and December 2010 to consider the projects submitted underthe 3rd and 4th calls for proposals. They approved 5 projects in Round 3 with a further 9 projectsapproved under Round 4 worth a combined grant allocation of over €14 million.

The Programme Monitoring Committee was the body charged with selecting the strategic projectapplications and met in June in Naas. Each project was invited to make a short presentation to theCommittee. Two of the three applications were selected and are worth a combined grant allocation ofalmost €6 million.

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Programme EventsThe Programme Monitoring Committee met 3 times during 2010. It first met in January in Deganwy,Wales then June in Naas and November in Llandudno, Wales. The Committee was updated onProgramme activities and took a range of decisions including the approval to launch the 4th call forproposals, approve the strategic call and the proposal to carry out a mid-term evaluation of programmeactivity.

The Programme’s cross-border Annual Event was held on November 5th 2010 in Llandudno, Wales.The event was chaired by Damien O Brien, Director of WEFO and looked at the development andachievements of Ireland Wales marine cooperation over the last 3 programming periods.

The Ireland-Wales Annual Event in Llandudno Junction on 5th November 2010

Keynote speaker Geoffrey O’Sullivan of the Marine Institute addressing delegates at the Ireland Wales Annual Event. Seated,Damien O’Brien, Director, WEFO and Simon Baily, Head of Unit, Ireland Wales Programme Secretariat

Upon the launch of the fourth call for proposals, the JTS held a workshop in Dublin for potentialapplicants. Two similar workshops were also held in Wales to facilitate potential Welsh applicants.These events were attended by over one hundred and fifty interested parties, who were briefed in theProgramme requirements as they related to the fourth call. Applicants were also given the opportunityto discuss their project idea with JTS staff at these events.

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Finance and Reporting Workshop – Waterford, June 24th 2010

The partners of the five projects approved in Round 3 attended a financial control workshop inWaterford on 24th June 2010. Project partners were given advice and guidance on the Programme’sfinancial requirements. The projects were also given the opportunity to meet with the JTS staff on a one-to-one basis to discuss their individual needs after the event.

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INTERREG IVB - Transnational Cooperation

INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme 2007-2013

BackgroundOn 26th September 2007, the European Commission approved a European Territorial CooperationProgramme for transnational cooperation between Belgium, Germany, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, theNetherlands and the United Kingdom with the participation of Switzerland for the period 2007-2013.The Transnational Territorial Cooperation Programme ‘North West Europe’ (NWE) involves EU supportfor 93 NUTS II areas in the participating countries, within the European Territorial CooperationObjective framework. The Programme affects a population of about 180 million people (2003) livingin the eligible area of 845,000 km. The total budget of the Programme is around €696 million. EUinvestment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to approximately €355million. Projects can apply for a grant rate of up to 50% ERDF.

INTERREG IVB North West Europe (NWE) Programme 2007-2013The main goal of the Programme is to capitalise on the cooperation between key actors and to addressterritorial issues across the North West Europe programme area. The Programme seeks to contribute tothe economic competitiveness of the region, thereby equally promoting regionally balanced andsustainable development. The Programme offers a cross-sectoral approach to territorial development,which promotes close cooperation with universities, non-governmental organisations, public authoritiesand the private sector to secure contribution towards economic and social cohesion and EUcompetitiveness. The Transnational Cooperation Programme offers the advantage of establishing linksbetween actions at regional, national, cross-border and interregional levels. These efforts increasinglycomplement activities, policies and programmes in the participating countries.

Map of the INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme Area

To guarantee the visibility of cooperation, concrete Operational Programme achievements areindispensable. Currently, this approach to transnational cooperation is focusing on:

• a long-term, strategic approach;• the catalyst effect of cooperation projects for subsequent infrastructure investments that offer

transnational relevance;• cross-fertilisation between projects that both address similar issues and complement other

programmes;• overcoming transnational issues of interest to the area.

The Programme priorities are:Priority 1: Developing the NWE knowledge-based economy by capitalising on our capacity for

innovation Priority 2: Sustainable management of natural resources and of natural and technological risks,Priority 3: Improving connectivity in NWE by promoting intelligent and sustainable transport and

ICT solutionsPriority 4: Promoting strong and prosperous communities at transnational level

The Assembly takes an executive involvement in the programme on behalf of the Irish Member State byproviding representatives to both the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) and Programme SteeringCommittee (PSC). The Assembly also hosts the First Level Controller for Irish project partners and the IrishContact Point.

The PMC is made up of representatives of the national and regional authorities of the participatingMember States and the Swiss Confederation and is responsible for supervising the effectiveness andquality of the implementation of the ERDF assistance and for the overall strategic management andmonitoring of the Operational Programme. The Irish Member State was represented by the Assemblyat the two PMC meetings which took place during 2010:

• PMC9 – Cambridge UK, 23 March 2010 • PMC10 – Glasgow UK, 1 December 2010

The PSC is made up of representatives of the national and regional authorities of the participatingMember States and the Swiss Confederation and is responsible for selecting projects and the monitoringof projects' implementation. The Irish Member State was represented by the Assembly at the two PSCmeetings which took place in 2010:

• PSC6 – Belfast UK, 16-17 June 2010• PSC7 – Manchester UK, 2-3 December 2010

Michael Buckley CPA, Auditor at the Assembly has been designated First Level Controller for all Irishpartners in the INTERREG IVB North West Europe programme. First Level Controls are the checks (audits)on project expenditure to be made during project implementation each time before submitting a

Role of the Regional Assembly

Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC)

Programme Steering Committee (PSC)

First Level Control (Audit)

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payment claim, and covers 100% of all project spending declared and include the following checks:

• verification of the delivery of the products and services co-financed (as described in the approved Application Form);

• verification of the soundness of the expenditure declared;• verification of the compliance of such expenditure with Programme, Community and National

rules.

ContactMichael Buckley CPA, First Level Controller, INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme, Southern& Eastern Regional AssemblyTelephone +353 (0) 51 860 700 | Email mbuckley@seregassembly.ie | Website www.nweurope.eu

Contact Point NetworkThe Assembly oversees and assists with Irish involvement in the Programme through the provision of theNWE Contact Point in Ireland. A transnational network of Contact Points act as decentralisedrepresentatives of the programme, located in each of the partner countries, working closely togetherand with the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) in Lille, France. Antoinette Jordan was appointed IrishContact Point for the period 2008-2014.

At a local, regional, national and transnational level, the Contact Point role entails: • Promote the NWE programme and raise awareness of its opportunities and requirements

through communication materials and events;• Promote the concept of transnational cooperation and its added value;• Facilitate a ‘help-desk’ in each country: responding to general enquiries about the programme;• Provide a straightforward ‘sounding board’ assessment as to whether or not an initial idea has

potential under NWE;• Support project partnership building and transnational partner searches;

Contact Point locations across North West Europe - Ireland, UK, France, Germany,Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland

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• Advise project promoters in the preparation of applications including draft proposal comments;• Act as an accessible liaison for approved project partners having specific questions related to

programme or EU rules or experiencing implementation difficulties;• Assist the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) of the Programme and national Interreg authorities in

the further development and implementation of the programme.

Members of the Contact Point Network, INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme:L-R (front) Belgium (Quentin Richard), Germany (Eva C. Lupprian), France (Marie Prevost), Ireland (Antoinette Jordan),

UK (Paula MacLachlan), Belgium (Carolien Ruebens); (back) UK (Ian Hill), Luxembourg (Nicole Skirde-Vural).

ContactAntoinette Jordan, Contact Point (Ireland), INTERREG IVB North West Europe Programme, Southern &Eastern Regional AssemblyTelephone +353 (0) 51 860700/ 860709 | Email ajordan@seregassembly.ieWebsite www.nweurope.euContact Point Network http://www.nweurope.eu/index.php?act=contact&type=1

Programme Activities and EventsThe sixth call for proposals closed on 9 April 2010 and the Programme Steering Committee held its sixthmeeting (PSC6) in Belfast on 16-17 June 2010 to consider the 19 applications received. Two projectswere approved including one project with an Irish partner.

The seventh call for proposals closed on 24th September 2010 and the seventh Programme SteeringCommittee meeting (PSC7) took place in Glasgow on 2-3 December 2010 to consider the 40applications received – 14 projects were approved including five projects with Irish partners.

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At the end of 2010, €224.81m ERDF or 67% of the Programme budget had been allocated. From2007 to 2010 a total of 21 Irish partner organisations were successful in attracting €7.4m ERDFfunding as part of 16 transnational projects.

The programme held its Annual Event in Manchester on 6-7 December 2010 and all projects with Irishpartners took part in the Project Fair to showcase their achievements to date. Six projects were chosento present their project to the conference as examples of ‘NWE Success Stories’ and Sean de Buitlearfrom the South Kerry Development Partnership gave a very well-received presentation on the Irish-ledCOLLABOR8 project. Over 400 delegates attended the event and over 100 participants who could notattend due to bad weather in Europe watched the event online via a live webcast.

Sean de Buitlear, Communication Manager, COLLABOR8 Project, Lead Partner: South Kerry Development Partnership (Ireland)addressing the Annual Event 2010 of the Interreg IVB North West Europe Programme in Manchester

In 2010, the Contact Points facilitated English-speaking Applicant Workshops and Project DevelopmentWorkshops for Irish applicants as follows:

• 6th Call Project Development Workshop – Dublin Ireland, 15 February 2010;• 7th Call Project Development Workshop - Leeds UK, 6 May 2010;• 7th Call Applicants Workshop for Irish partners – Waterford Ireland, 23 July 2010.

Lead Partners applying in the sixth and seventh call for proposals during 2010 were invited to attendProject Surgery Days with Programme officers in Lille, France on 25th February 2010 (6th callapplicants) and 1st September 2010 (7th call applicants). Thematic Workshops on Priority 1 and 4 tookplace in Brussels on 18-19 May 2010 and many Irish organisations attended.

All new Irish Lead Partners of approved projects were invited to attend a Lead Partner Seminar and allproject Communication Officers attended communication training in Lille, France during the year. TheIrish Contact Point visited all new Irish partners during the year and provided training on reporting,monitoring, payment claims, audit and procurement, First Level Control and communication.

The Senior Enterprise Project was launched by Batt O’Keeffe, T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade &Innovation in Druid’s Glen, Wicklow on 6th October 2010. This project is led by the Mid-East RegionalAuthority in Ireland and involves partners and observers from Ireland, the UK, France, the Netherlandsand Luxembourg, including Wicklow, Kildare and Meath County Enterprise Boards. The project isaddressing the concerns of the European Union with regard to the challenges posed by an ageingpopulation through the active engagement of Over-50s with entrepreneurship. The Senior Enterpriseproject was also featured in the mid-term publication ‘INTERREG IVB North West Europe ProgrammeOverview 2007-2010: The Story So Far…’ as an example of a project successfully keeping an ageingpopulation healthy, active and involved.

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Batt O'Keeffe, TD, Minister for Enterprise Trade & Innovation addressing the SeniorEnterprise Launch Conference in Wicklow, 6th October 2010.

Pictured at the Senior Enterprise Project Launch Conference on 5th and 6th October2010 in Wicklow are: (from left)

Eddie Sheehy, Wicklow County Manager, Cllr Tom Fortune Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Batt O'Keeffe, TD,Minister for Enterprise Trade & Innovation, Cllr John McGinley Cathaoirleach, Mid East Regional Authority, and John Byrne,

Senior Enterprise Project Director and Director of the Mid East Regional Authority.

On Monday 6th September 2010, John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & LocalGovernment launched a brochure entitled ‘Ireland & Europe – The European Union at Local andRegional Level in Ireland’ at European Union House, Dublin. This publication was produced by the IrishRegions Office in Brussels and the European Commission Representation in Ireland and highlights anumber of INTERREG IVB North West Europe projects as success stories derived from the use of EU fundsand as examples of the benefits from EU programmes. This brochure featured the INTERREG IVB NorthWest Europe FloodResilienCity project, Senior Enterprise project and the IMCORE project.

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INTERREG IVBATLANTIC AREA PROGRAMME 2007-2013

BackgroundThe European Commission approved on 20th September 2007 a European Territorial CooperationProgramme for transnational cooperation between Ireland, Spain, France, Portugal and the UnitedKingdom for the period 2007-2013. The Transnational Cooperation Operational Programme ‘AtlanticArea 2007-2013’ involves Community support for 33 NUTS II coastal areas in the participatingcountries, from the straight of Gibraltar to the North of Scotland. The programme affects a populationof about 56 million people (2005) living in an the eligible area of 594.000 Km. The OperationalProgramme falls within the framework laid out for the European territorial cooperation objective andhas a total budget of around €159 million. Community investment through the ERDF amounts to around€104 million.

INTERREG IVB Atlantic Area Programme 2007-2013Within the priorities set by the European territorial cooperation objective, the main goal of theOperational Programme is to contribute to the territorial cohesion of the Atlantic Area through thereinforcement of the cooperation between the participating Member States. In order to consolidateexisting cooperation structures and to achieve tangible results in terms of development of the knowledgeeconomy the ‘Atlantic Area 2007-2013’ programme seeks to:

• enhance the Atlantic maritime heritage;• valorise the maritime resources of the Atlantic area;• contribute to the emergence of new economic activity clusters;• promote accessibility and logistic conditions;• contribute to the balanced and sustainable development of the Atlantic area.

This implies a substantial change in the overall programme objectives in comparison to the previousprogrammes, in which many projects were limited to studies or exchange of information. The new typeof transnational cooperation in the framework of the ‘Atlantic Area 2007-2013’ programme focuseson concrete achievements, a long term strategic approach, the exchange of experience as well as thetransfer of know how and cross fertilisation between projects that address similar issues.

The Programme priorities are:

Priority 1: Promote transnational entrepreneurial and innovation networks

Priority 2: Protect, secure and enhance the marine and coastal environment sustainably

Priority 3: Improve accessibility and internal links

Priority 4: Promote transnational synergies in sustainable urban and regional development

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INTERREG IVB Regional Involvement: ATLANT-KIS PROJECT

In 2008, the Regional Assembly was successful in securing almost €250,000 ERDF for the regionthrough the Atlant-Kis Atlantic Area project. This project, led by the Navarra Government in Spain withpartners in Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK, aims to enhance the Knowledge andTechnology Transfer and innovation processes on SMEs through the promotion and co-operation ofKnowledge Intensive Services (KIS) in the Atlantic Area. The project was approved under Priority 1Objective 1 and has a total budget of €2.36m, with a 65% ERDF contribution of €1.53m. Thecombined ERDF contribution for the Irish partners is over €455,000 ERDF.

During 2010, two partner meetings were held, one in Rennes in March 2010 and another in Brusselsin October 2010. Also in connection with SEBIC, two regional discussion forums were held with SMEsand KIS suppliers, one in Waterford and another in Cork in May 2010.

During 2010, the Regional Assembly also began the process of developing a web-based virtualplatform aimed at the regional and transnational matching of the supply and demand of KnowledgeIntensive Services (KIS) in the Atlantic Area, which is one of the key outputs of the project. 2010 alsosaw the launch of the official Atlant-kis website: www.atlantkis.eu

Contact:David Kelly, Assistant DirectorSouthern & Eastern Regional Assembly,Assembly House, O’Connell Street, Waterford. Telephone +353 (0) 51 860 700

Websites:www.seregassembly.ie http://atlanticarea.inescporto.pt/ www.atlantkis.eu

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INTERREG IVB Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013

BackgroundOn 28th September 2007, the European Commission approved a Transnational CooperationProgramme between Ireland, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, with the participation of theFaeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway for the 2007-2013 period. The ‘Northern Periphery2007-2013’ Programme involves Community support for the following regions within the EuropeanTerritorial Co-operation Objective framework: Ireland: ‘Border, Midland and Western’ (only the regionsDonegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway and Mayo), ‘Southern and Eastern’ (only the regions Clare, Limerick,Cork and Kerry); Finland: ‘Itä-Suomi’, ‘Pohjois-Suomi’ and ‘Länsi-Suomi’ (only the region Keski-Suomi);Sweden: Mellersta Norrland and Övre Norrland; United Kingdom: ‘North Eastern Scotland’ (only theregion ‘North East Moray’), ‘South Western Scotland’ (only the region ‘Dumfries & Galloway’),‘Highlands and Islands’ and ‘Northern Ireland’ (with the exception of the regions ‘Belfast’ and ‘OuterBelfast’). The total budget of the programme is around €59 million. Community investment through theEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF) amounts to some €35 million. The four non-MemberStates finance their own participation and provide another €10 million to the Programme in ‘ERDFequivalent funding’.

INTERREG IVB Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013The Northern Periphery Programme applies to an area of great diversity that boasts considerablenatural, cultural and human resources. Regions across the Programme area share similar opportunitiesand are faced with similar obstacles to development. The strategy for cooperation is based on a closerassociation in order to meet the objectives of the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies. The Programmeaims to help peripheral and remote communities in the northern margins of Europe to develop theireconomic, social and environmental potential. This will be achieved through transnational collaborationin the fields of innovation, business competitiveness, accessibility, sustainable development, naturalresources and cultural heritage.

The Programme priorities are:Priority 1: Promoting innovation and competitiveness in remote and peripheral areasPriority 2: Sustainable development of natural resourcesPriority 3: Technical assistance

The Assembly provides an alternate member to Programme Monitoring Committee.Michael Buckley, CPA, Auditor at the Regional Assembly has been designated First Level Controller forall partners from the S&E Region in the Northern Periphery programme. First Level Controls are thechecks (audits) on project expenditure to be made during project implementation each time beforesubmitting a payment claim, and covers 100% of all project spending declared.

Contact: Michael Buckley CPA, First Level Controller, INTERREG IVB NPP, Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly,Assembly House, O’Connell Street, WaterfordTelephone +353 (0) 51 860 700 | Email mbuckley@seregassembly.ie Website http://www.northernperiphery.eu/en/home/

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BackgroundInterregional cooperation works at pan-European level, covering all EU-27 Member States, and more.It builds networks to develop good practice and facilitate the exchange and transfer of experience bysuccessful regions. It showcases what regions do well, to the benefit of those still investing. TheINTERREG IVC Programme enables EU regions to work together and is structured around two prioritiesas outlined below. The ERDF contribution to the Programme is €321 million and participating countriesare: EU-27, Norway and Switzerland.

INTERREG IVC Programme 2007-2013Authorities and stakeholders at local and regional level have a vital role to play in the achievement ofthe EU’s strategies for growth, jobs and sustainable development. The exchange, sharing and transferof policy experience, knowledge and good practices will contribute to the success of this objective.

The INTERREG IVC Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective of the StructuralFund policies for the period 2007-2013. It aims, by means of interregional cooperation, to improve theeffectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernisation and increasedcompetitiveness of Europe, by:

• Enabling local and regional actors across the EU to exchange their experiences and knowledge;• Matching regions less experienced in a certain policy field with more advanced regions;• Ensuring the transfer of good practices into Structural Funds mainstream programmes.

The Programme priorities are:Priority 1: Innovation and the knowledge economyPriority 2: Environment and risk prevention

The Assembly provides on of the two Irish members of the Programme Monitoring Committee.Michael Buckley CPA, Auditor at the Regional Assembly has been designated First Level Controller forIrish partners in the Southern and Eastern Region, involved in the INTERREG IVC programme. First LevelControls are the checks (audits) on project expenditure to be made during project implementation eachtime before submitting a payment claim, and covers 100% of all project spending declared.

First Level Control includes the following checks:• verification of the delivery of the products and services co-financed (as described in the

approved Application Form);• verification of the soundness of the expenditure declared;• verification of the compliance of such expenditure with Programme, Community and National

rules.Contact: Michael Buckley CPA, First Level Controller, INTERREG IVC, Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly,Assembly House, O’Connell Street, WaterfordTelephone +353 (0) 51 860 700 | Email mbuckley@seregassembly.ie Website www.interreg4c.net

INTERREG IVC Interregional Cooperation

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Capitalising on Partner Initiatives in Mobility Management ServicesIn 2010, the Regional Assembly was successful in securing almost €140,000 investment through thePIMMS Capital Interreg IVC project. This project is being led by Traffic IQ in Frankfurt.

Throughout the EU, increased reliance on the car has resulted in high levels of congestion and morepollution, leading to economic, environmental and health problems for our regions and cities. ERDFinvestment in infrastructure could accelerate this trend if parallel alternative measures are not introducedat the same time. Mobility Management aims to reduce reliance on the car by encouraging travellersto use other modes. It comprises ‘soft’ measures (e.g. information or coordination of existing userservices), which enhance the effectiveness of ‘hard’ measures of traffic planning (e.g. new tram lines,new roads and new bike tracks).

The overall objective of PIMMS CAPITAL is to stimulate modal shift towards more sustainable forms oftransport by increasing the implementation of high quality mobility management techniques and policiesin European regions. The additional benefit to the regions will be the development of more efficient andfree-flowing transport systems, which will contribute to their economic competitiveness. The partnershipcomprises 12 regions and 10 Member States are involved.

One of the key aspects in the delivery of the project is the exchange of Good Practices between thepartner Regions. To facilitate this, a menu of Good Practices (GP’s) in mobility management wasproduced, including GP’s from each partner region. From this menu each region identified and selectedthe GP’s which are most relevant and of interest for import. In the case of the Southern & Eastern Region3 GP’s were selected as follows:

• Traffic and Mobility Planning – Frankfurt;• Regional Platform for Mobility Management – Stockholm;• Integrated Fares: Technological Investments on Automatic Ticketing – Provinces of Treviso,

Venice.

The GP’s will be exchanged through ‘export’ and ‘import’ visits to the respective regions. To this endrelevant personnel and experts from the Southern & Eastern Region will travel to the 3 regions mentionedabove to learn at first-hand how the various initiatives and actions were planned and implemented. Thiswould include personnel from Limerick City Council if any of these GP’s are of interest to the Council.

A number of partner Regions (Sofia, Bulgaria; Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic; Western Greece andCyprus) also expressed interest in 2 initiatives in operation in Limerick City, namely:

• Computer Aided Central Traffic Monitoring System;• Smart travel – Bus priority corridors, cycle lanes, park & ride, walking and behavioural change.

INTERREG IVC PIMMS Capital Project

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The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly (SERA), as the partner from the Southern & Eastern Regionwill carry out the administration with regard to the project, including compilation of reports, etc. LimerickCity Councils involvement in the project will essentially include providing technical expertise in thearea. On a practical level this will involve:

• Hosting some delegations from other city regions with the costs met by the Regional AssemblyA number of visits have been arranged to take place during the course of 2011;

• Sending one or two relevant personnel from the Transportation Directorate to Frankfurt, Stockholmand Venice, with costs again met by the Assembly;

• Attending a conference to be held in S&E Region during the project lifetime.

Pictured taken at the signing of the Contract for the PIMMS Capital Project (from left) David Kelly, Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly & Johannes Theissen, Traffic IQ

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In 2002, the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) was published, which sets out a 20 year plan for Irelandto achieve better regional development. The NSS recognises the role of cities and city regions in drivingthis. In particular, it recognises the combined development potential of the four Gateway cities of Cork,Limerick-Shannon, Galway and Waterford, known as the Atlantic Gateways. In 2006, the AtlanticGateways Initiative Report was published. This report outlined how an integrated approach to thedevelopment of these four Gateways has the potential to develop and complement the Dublin Regionand lead the drive towards more balanced regional development across the western and southern partsof the island of Ireland. The report studied the feasibility of the ‘concept’ of linkages between the AtlanticGateways and explored what will be necessary for turning the Atlantic Gateways 'concept' into reality.

Implementation of the report has been underway since 2007 under the leadership of the AtlanticGateways Steering group which is composed of representatives of the Regional Assemblies, RegionalAuthorities, Shannon Development, Dept. of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government and privatesector interests such as IBEC. This year, the Regional Assembly took over the management andadministration of the Steering Group with Mr. Stephen Blair taking over as Chairperson until June 2010.To date, the group has been working on a number of actions from themes identified in the report andin particular on the fundamental issue of spatial planning in, around and between the four GatewayCities. With this in mind and following consultation with the Regional Authorities and planning personnelin the Gateway authorities, four individual Atlantic Gateway Corridor reports are being finalised whichset out the development frameworks for each inter-gateway corridor and these will be published shortly.

The four Corridors are:

• Galway - Limerick/Shannon

• Limerick/Shannon - Cork

• Cork – Waterford

• Waterford - Limerick/Shannon

ATLANTIC GATEWAYS INITIATIVE

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Report on Activities during 2010

URBACT “Open Cities” Activities 2010

What is URBACT?

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development.It enable cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges, reaffirming the key rolethey play in facing increasingly complex societal changes. It helps cities to develop pragmatic solutionsthat are new and sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions.URBACT enables cities to share good practices and lessons learned with all professionals involved inurban policy throughout Europe.

OPENCities ProjectOPENCities is a British Council project funded by URBACT and led by Belfast City Council incollaboration with a network of European cities. The partner cities include Bilbao, Cardiff, Dublin,Dusseldorf, Nitra, Poznan, Sofia and Vienna. URBACT is a European exchange and learningprogramme promoting sustainable urban development.

The partners all recognise that the arrival of large numbers of new residents can create greatopportunities for innovation and progress in social, economic and cultural development.OPENCities aims to explore how cities can attract and retain migrant populations and what initiativescities can employ to make themselves a popular choice with international workers. Cities that want toattract and retain international populations have to be 'open' cities that create a good ‘offer’ forinternational workers and foster a local climate that recognises and welcomes diversities and providesfreedom of thought and speech.

The project will/has consider/ed how cities can develop more proactive policies to create OPENCitiesto better attract or retain mobile international populations, as they are/which are important to both thecompetitive and convergence objectives of the European Union.

DEVELOPMENT:• Baseline studies

Baseline studies were completed by each partner city during the development phase of theproject. The aim was to show how open each city was and what initiatives were currently inplace. These provided a starting point from which we measured the impact of the project.

• Index of OpennessOne of the objectives of OPENCities was to develop a common definition of openness allowingcities to carry out benchmarking and self-assessment. Data to populate an OPENCities Index wasgathered across the lifetime of the project and will continue beyond. A feasibility study onwhether openness can be measured internationally was completed and is available online.www.opencities.eu

• Local Support GroupsLocal Support Groups were set up in each of the partner cities with the aim of spreading thelearning from trans-national exchanges to a broader cross-section of local stakeholders and toensure that the lessons learnt through the OPENCities project led to change at a local level.Each city produced a Local Action Plan (LAP) which has formed the legacy of the project. LAPswill contain to deliver innovative pilot projects led by cities, policy makers and stakeholders toactively address barriers to economic migrants.

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Thematic PapersPapers were produced by Greg Clark, OPENCities advisor, on each theme of the project• Leadership and Governance• Internationalisation• Integration and Inclusion

Conference reports were produced as a result of 5 thematic workshops held across the lifetime of theproject.

These reports are compiled by the lead expert for the project, Ian Goldring, with input from each of thecities by way of case studies relating to the topic.

Full copies of all reports mentioned above are available to download from the URBACT websitewww.urbact.eu/opencities

The Office of International Relations, Research and Special Projects within Dublin City Council held aPeer Review process in November 2010. Bringing together members of the Eurocities EconomicMigration Working Group with OPENCities partners, Peter Finnegan’s team presented a case study onthe cities approach to attracting International Students. The policy objective of Dublin City Councilimplements the national policy objective for Ireland to become internationally recognised and rankedas a world leader in the delivery of high-quality international education.

The Peer Review coincided with a week of activities in the City of Dublin exploring innovation andcreativity, which culminated in an Innovation Forum. For further information on Dublin activities contactJamie Cudden: jamie.cudden@dublincity.ie

The Final OPENCities conference will be held in Brussels on 25th May 2011 at the European Economicand Social Committee / Committee of the Regions venue, Brussels, Belgium.

Pictured left to right: Laura Leonard, European Unit, Belfast City Council; Derville Brennan, Programme Executive, Southern & Eastern Regional

Assembly and Frances Dowds, Project Manager – Open Cities, Belfast City Council

The S&E Regional Assembly is an associated Managing Authority for this project and Derville Brennanis the Assembly’s representative. Further information about the OPENCities Project can be found atwww.urbact.eu or by contacting Derville Brennan, Programme Executive.

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Members Annual Workshop – 29th & 30th January 2010

A member’s workshop was held in Faithlegg House Hotel, Waterford on the 29th and 30th January2010. The theme of the workshop was Leadership, which formed part of the process of examining therole of the Regional Assembly and defining the direction of the Assembly into the future. A number ofpresentations were also given on the Regional Operational Programme and its progress to date. Theworkshop was well attended by members.

Picture taken at Members Workshop held in Faithlegg House Hotel, Waterford Pictured from left: Derville Brennan, Programme Executive, S&E Regional Assembly; Cllr. Jack Walsh, Member of Regional

Assembly; Cllr. Kevin Murphy, Cathaoirleach S&E Regional Assembly; Paula Downey, Downey Youell Associates; SonjaMaurus, Programme Executive, S&E Regional Assembly; David Kelly, Assistant Director, S&E Regional Assembly

Paula Downey and Sonja Maurus Stephen Blair and Cllr. Kevin Murphy

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Site Visit to Arclabs Research & Innovation Centre - 19th March 2010

Arclabs Research & Innovation Centre, located at WIT Campus, Carriganore, Waterford was thelocation for the March joint sub-committee meeting. This particular facility is one of the many projectsto receive funding under the Regional Operational Programme. The centre supports innovative andambitious early-stage business ventures, its goal being to provide entrepreneurs and early-stage ventureswith the support needed to achieve success in national and international markets. Arclabs help theirclients to accelerate their business by providing business advisory services and access to the R&Dresources of WIT.

The visit was kindly facilitated by Mr. Tom Corcoran, Centre Manager who gave a brief presentationon the workings of the centre, followed by a short tour. The members also met with Mr Conor Ryan,Betapond, who informed the members how Arclabs contributed to the successful start-up and growthof his particular business.

Further information on Arclabs available at: www.arclabs.ie

Picture taken outside Arclabs, Carriganore, Waterford

Pictured from left: Vincent Dunphy, Programme Executive, S&E Regional Assembly; Sharon Crotty, Programme Executive, S&ERegional Assemby, Mr. Tom Corcoran, Manager - Arclabs; Cllr. John Ryan, Cathaoirleach of Sub-Committee;

Cllr. Jim Holloway, Mr. John Moloney, Teagasc; Yvonne Cooney, S&E Regional Assembly.

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Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, addressed a joint meeting of Ireland’s two RegionalAssemblies - the Border, Midland & Western and the Southern & Eastern, at a joint meeting held on 23rdApril 2010 at the Knightsbridge Hotel in Trim, Co. Meath. Minster Dempsey participated in a discussionon the transport investment programmes, highlighting the Government‟s commitment to a strongsustainable transport system.

Pictured from left: Stephen Blair, Director S&E Regional Assembly; Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport; Cllr. KevinMurphy, Cathaoirleach S&E Regional Assembly; Cllr. Andrew Boylan, Cathaoirleach, BMW Regional Assembly; Gerry Finn,

Director, BMW Regional Assembly.

Cllr. Sean Crowe, Cllr. Dan Fleming & Cllr. P.J. Kelly Noel Dempsey TD, Cllr. Kevin Murphy& Stephen Blair, Director

Assembly Members at Joint Meeting Cllr. Dermot Lacey, Cllr. Christy Burke, Cllr. Mary Freehill& Cllr. Paddy Bourke

Joint Assembly Meeting – 23rd April 2010

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Graduate Prize Ceremony – May 2010

In 2010, the Regional Assembly continued to support the ‘Graduate Online Youth Quiz’. This is a freeon-line educational Quiz for primary and post primary students throughout Ireland. The aim of the Quizis to increase student’s civic, social and political awareness in an innovative, fun and engaging manner.

The Quiz operates on an annual basis during the academic year, each week a new set of questionsrelating to areas as diverse as the Arts, environment, politics, health and safety, the Irish language,European affairs, etc becomes available on the website. The website provides links to the relevantwebsites and WebPages making it easy for students to correctly answer the questions. Every Monday,a computer randomly selects five weekly winners and the appropriate schools are notified that one oftheir pupils has won a prize. The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly sponsored a total of 3 prizesof a Trip to Strasbourg including one full day at the European Parliament.

Sponsorship of the Graduate Quiz will continue in 2011. Further details may be found atwww.graduate.ie

Picture above taken at the Euroscola, April 2010

Picture above of Graduate Quiz prize winners 2010

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Annual Conference, Kinsale – 28th May 2010

The 10th Annual Conference of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly took place in The CarltonHotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork on the 28th May 2010. The theme of the conference was ‘SupportingRenewable Energy Opportunities in the Southern & Eastern Region’ and the conference aim was toprovide an opportunity for attendees to support and discuss the development of renewable energyopportunities in the Southern & Eastern Region.

Key speakers included Mr. Andrew Parish, CEO of Wavebob Ltd., one of the leading ocean energytechnology companies; Mr. Dermot Byrne, CEO of EirGrid; Mr. Tom Knitter, Bioenergy Project Executiveof Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Renewable Energy Information Office based in Clonakilty,Co. Cork and Mr. Conor Buckley, CEO of Longship and Cork Person of the Year 2009.

The 10th Annual Conference held on 28th May 2010 in the Carlton Hotel, KinsalePictured from left: Mr. Andrew Parish, CEO Wavebob; Mr. Dermot Byrne, CEO EirGrid;

Mr.Stephen Blair, Director S&E Regional Assembly; Clr. Kevin Murphy, Cathaoirleach, S&E Regional Assembly;Mr. Tom Knitter, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland & Mr. Conor Buckley, CEO Longship.

Mr. Andrew Parish, CEO of Wavebob in his presentation entitled ‘can Ireland become a World Leaderin Wave Energy’ spoke of challenges in introducing wave energy, such as administrative, funding andtechnology challenges. Andrew outlined that the Government has selected North West Mayo as an ideallocation for an underwater cable to be positioned. He also spoke about the finalisation of a spatial planfor ocean energy and commented on how it is hoped that Ireland will become a world leader in waveenergy by 2020.

Mr. Dermot Byrne, CEO of EirGrid spoke of their role in developing, maintaining and operating a safe,secure, reliable, economical and efficient transmission system. In terms of Ireland’s renewable policytargets, Dermot outlined how Grid25 seeks to achieve these Government targets, presenting significantchallenges for operators. He confirmed that the 15% wind generation target has been met this year witha further target of 40% to be achieved by 2020. Dermot further commented on how balanced regionaldevelopment is a key objective but that the necessary infrastructure is crucial in achieving this, at a costof approx. €4 billion.

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The Bioenergy Project Executive of SEAI Renewable Energy Information Officer, Mr. Tom Knitter, gavean overview of the ‘opportunities for bio-energy in the Southern & Eastern Region’ commenting on thetargets set in the Government White paper - Delivering Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland 2007. Tomoutlined how a number of opportunities for bioenergy exist in Ireland which will play a significant rolein the future energy market, with the potential to supply constant electricity, heat, gas and transport fuel.

Cork Person of the Year 2009 and CEO of Longship, Mr. Conor Buckley, stated that the future focusneeds to be on renewable energy. Conor commented on how he would like to see an increase of 2%per year on energy efficiency, stating that the savings to be achieved are exponential. In order tosuccessfully achieve targets and eliminate current leakage and wastage he spoke of the urgent needfor energy managers and adequate management solutions.

Cllr. Kevin Murphy, Cathaoirleach S&E RegionalAssembly, Stephen Blair, Director & Cllr. Derry

Canty, Cork County Mayor

Regional Assembly Members: Cllr. Leo Walsh,Cllr. Brian Lawlor & Cllr. Stephen Keary

Assembly Staff - Oonagh Hearne, KarenCoughlan, Sharon Crotty & Breda White

Stephen Blair, Director; Noel Farrell, EuropeanCommission, Cllr. Derry Canty, Cork County

Mayor, Cllr. Kevin Murphy, Cathaoirleach S&ERegional Assembly with Conference Speakers -

Conor Buckley, Tom Knitter, Dermot Byrne &Andrew Parish.

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Visit from Czech Study Tour 9th June 2010

A group from the Czech Ministry of Health visited Assembly House on the 9th June 2010. Their mainobjective was to learn best practices in the field of Operational Programme implementation.Presentations were made to the delegation by Assembly staff on the roles and functions of the Assembly,managing and monitoring of the Regional Operational Programme, the Southern & Eastern RegionalOperational Programme 2007-2013 and the role of research programmes and the Programme forResearch in Third level Institutions in the Operational Programme.

Pictured from left: Cllr. Kevin Murphy (Cathaoirleach 2009-2010) handing over the Chain of Office toCllr. John Ryan (Cathaoirleach 2010-2011) with Director, Stephen Blair.

Election of Cathaoirleach 2010/2011 – 3rd September 2010

At the Annual General Meeting of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly on Friday 3rdSeptember 2010, Cllr. John Ryan was elected as Cathaoirleach and Cllr. Tomás Breathnach was re-elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Monitoring Committee Meetings – 28th April 2010 & 14th December 2010

During 2010, two Monitoring Committee meetings were held; one on the 28th April 2010 whichreported progress of the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme to date. The secondMonitoring Committee meeting was held on the 14th December 2010 and involved communication ofthe preliminary findings of the Mid-Term Evaluation of the Operational Programme 2007-2013.

At the April monitoring committee meeting, the Director of the Regional Assembly, Stephen Blair,detailed the progress made in the roll out of the ERDF co-funded Regional Operational Programme withover €310 million of expenditure being reported during 2009. This expenditure was across a rangeof themes including support to Micro Enterprises, Research and Broadband and represents 45.5% oftotal funding available to the Regional Programme. Mr Blair noted that, in the context of the currenteconomic conditions, such progress was considerable.

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Staff Appointments and Leave 2010

In July 2010, Ms. Emma Doran joined the Regional Assembly as First Level Controller with the IrelandWales Programme.

During 2010, the Regional Assembly continued to facilitate work placements from Limerick University.The following students completed six month placements during 2010:

o Mr. Daniel Barretto Mr. Conor Dunneo Mr. David Harteryo Ms. Bethann O’Connell

This year also saw staff members availing of a range of Work-Life balance policies, including Part-timeworking, Term Time Leave, Flexi-time, Maternity Leave, Parental Leave and E-Working. The Assemblycontinues to promote ‘work-life balance day’ on an annual basis for all staff.

Freedom of Information

The Regional Assembly continues to be subject to the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 - 2003. Asrequired by the Act the Regional Assembly is required to publish two Manuals under Sections 15 & 16,as follows:• Section 15 Manual gives an overview of the Assembly and how it works; the functions carried

out, services provided and the various classes of records held by the Assembly;• Section 16 Manual describes the rules, practices, procedures and guidelines of the Assembly.

The Regional Assembly is represented on the FOI Officers network, hosted by the LGMSB, by Ms. OrlaKelly, FOI Officer. The network meets three times per year in Dublin and its’ main purpose is to providea forum for FOI officers from a variety of public organisations to discuss issues of common interestrelating to FOI. The network also hosts a Conference on an annual basis.

During 2010, the Assembly continued to furnish FOI returns in accordance with the regulationsgoverning the submission of FOI statistics to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and LocalGovernment.

Mr Blair outlined that the Regional Programme, through the 3 Priorities, Innovation & the KnowledgeEconomy, Environment & Accessibility and Sustainable Urban Development, had a strong focus on theLisbon & Gothenburg Agendas and, during 2010, considerable progress was made that will assistIreland in meeting its’ commitments as set out in the National Reform Programme.

In all over €680 million is available to the S&E Region under the Regional Programme, of which €147million is provided by the EU under the Regional Development Fund.

At December’s monitoring committee meeting, a presentation was given regarding preliminary Mid-TermEvaluation findings by the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit, Department of Finance. The presentationgave an overview of the terms of reference, external developments, progress at Priority / Theme level,horizontal principles, Programme management and selection criteria, performance indicators, continuedrelevance and on-going validity of Programme objectives and conclusions / preliminaryrecommendations.

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Irish Regions Office

The Irish Regions Brussels Office (IRO) was established in 2000 with support from the Department ofthe Environment, Heritage and Local Government as a resource for the Irish members of the EUCommittee of the Regions (CoR) and the regional authorities they represent. Over the last decade it hasbeen developed to provide a range of information services, policy and project supports, andrepresentational functions at EU level on behalf of local and regional bodies in Ireland.

During 2010, its staff assisted several local/regional authorities with their participation in EU fundedprojects and initiatives; took part in various Brussels-based regional networks; met with officials fromthe European Institutions and MEP’s to discuss issues of interest; facilitated inter-regional contactsincluding briefing representatives from other European regions and cities wishing to learn more aboutthe Irish situation; promoted the EU-related work that local and regional authorities in Ireland areinvolved with; and assisted a number of Irish study visits to Brussels. As part of its service it producesmonthly EU News Bulletins, drafts occasional policy briefings and provides a web-based informationservice.

In its support role to the Irish CoR delegation, the IRO further developed the briefings service thatmembers receive, especially through enhanced contacts and meetings with the Irish PermanentRepresentation to the EU.

Structure & PartnersThe IRO operates on the basis of an annual work programme, which is agreed with the Association ofIrish Regions (AIR). It also actively maintains direct links with the local and regional governmentstructures in Ireland and agreed working arrangements with other relevant organisations. Furtherinformation can be found at www.iro.ie

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) is the national representative organisation of the eight RegionalAuthorities and two Regional Assemblies in Ireland. Its objectives are to express the collective view ofits membership on matters concerning their constitution and the functions for which they have statutoryresponsibilities, and to offer advice to Government on matters pertaining to economic and socialdevelopment, including matters relating to balanced regional development.

The Association also aims to facilitate the exchange of information and experience between itsmembers, including arranging meetings, conferences, seminars, and producing publications whichfurther the objective of improving the quality of service which members can give to their authoritiesand to the public. The AIR is composed of the Cathaoirligh (Chairpersons) and Directors of the RegionalAuthorities and Regional Assemblies.

The Association of Irish Regions

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Regional Assembly’s Energy Usage 2010

Overview of Energy Usage in 2010The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly employs 24 staff, most of which are located in AssemblyHouse. Electricity is the sole energy source in Assembly House and energy consumption maybe broken intothe following categories:

• Heating the offices; • Providing light;• Powering of pcs and other office equipment and • Source of hot water in the building.

In 2010, 119,220 MWh of energy was consumed in Assembly House, all of which was generated byelectricity.

The Regional Assembly also has a sub-office located in the Port of Waterford building which houses theIreland Wales Programme JTS offices. The Assembly offices occupy approximately 25% of the area of thisbuilding.

Actions Undertaken in 2010In 2010, the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly undertook the following actions to review our energyperformance, including:

• Energy Audit carried out by SEI. The report concluded ‘this is an old listed building and as such has restrictions which prohibit the implementation of certain energy saving features; it is also considered uneconomical to retrofit the building with a new heating system to replace the current electric storageheaters’. This audit was reviewed again in 2010 with no further actions to be taken;

• Review of existing lighting and heating systems at our office carried out during 2010 by our ElectricalContractor with a view to implementing a more energy efficient systems. However as the building is aprotected structure, we are unable to retrofit with new heating or lighting systems;

• The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly is exempt from Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC – as listedbuildings of outstanding architectural or historical importance (protected structures) are exempt. AlsoBER certificates are only applicable to public buildings greater than 1000m2. Hence the Assembly building falls under these criteria;

• Energy costs and supply are reviewed on a quarterly basis, in accordance with the National Procurement Service contractual arrangements.

Actions Planned for 2011In 2011, the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly intends to further improve our energy performanceby undertaking the following initiatives:

• {Future Initiative No. 1}, to undertake an energy awareness campaign and training for all employees;

• {Future Initiative No. 2} The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly will appoint an EnergyManager, who will review energy performance, identify potential areas and take any appropriateactions e.g., run energy awareness training.

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Conferences and Seminars

The Regional Assembly was represented at the following Conferences/Seminars during 2010:

Title Location Representatives

National Enterprise Conference Clonmel 1

AMAI Conference Buncrana 2

How to be an effective Mayor/Chairperson Athlone 3

A practical guide to Media Skills Dungarvan 1

Association of Irish Regions Conference Tullamore 10

European Integrated Maritime Policy Wexford 6

Association of County & City Councils Tipperary 1

Banking, Insurance & Nama Tralee 1

Building Regulations, Renwable Energy Tralee 2

Clare Tourism Conference Ennistymon, Co Clare 1

Councillor, Communications & Local Development Waterford 1

Criminal Law(Defence & the Dwelling Bill 2010 Galway 1

Council Budgets 2011 Letterkenny 2

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Conference Dundalk 1

Exploring Options for the Unemployed Westport 1

Getting a Grip Killarney 1

Insurance Salesman Presentation Skills Galway 1

Kerry Life Education Conference Kerry 2

S&E Annual Conference Kinsale, Co Cork 24

Local Government & Transport Services Skibereen, Co Cork 2

Media Skills Training Cork 2

Planning & The Environment Galway 1

Public Liability, Health & Safety Bunclody 3

Septic Tanks & Sewage Treatment Letterkenny 1

Local Government Housing Service Killarney 3

Water Conservation Westport 1

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Staff - Regional Assembly

David KellyAssistant Director

Sharon CrottyProgramme Executive

Antoinette JordanProgramme Liaison Officer

Derville BrennanProgramme Executive

Vincent DunphyProgramme Executive

Orla KellyStaff Officer

Sonja MaurusProgramme Executive

Michael BuckleyAuditor

Karen CoughlanAssistant Staff Officer

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Staff - Regional Assembly

Eve HaydenAssistant Staff Officer

Yvonne CooneyClerical Officer

Breda WhiteClerical Officer

Siobhan CurranClerical Officer

Oonagh HearneClerical Officer

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Staff - Ireland-Wales Joint Technical Secretariat

Simon BailyHead of Unit

Rita McGarveyProject Officer

Caitriona PhelanClerical Officer

Emma DoranFirst Level Controller

Cathal ReillySenior Finance Officer

Therese CurranProject Officer

Edel HuntClerical Officer

Siobhán RuddenDevelopment Officer

Breda CurranProject Officer

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Consolidated Income and Expenditure Accountsfor the Financial Year ending 31st December 2010

Income Consolidated Accounts 2010 Consolidated Accounts 2009Local Authority Contributions 1,172,112 1,269,062Dept. of Finance 0 324,000Salary Recoupments from EU Programmes 0 250,866Superannuation Contra 34,929 37,520Contra 5,500 104,338Staff Travel Recoupment from EU Programmes 1,407 6,773Interreg Staff Travel Recoupment 5,000 5,000Miscellaneous 47,163 64,621EU Programme Recoupment 7,137,484 1,528,834Technical Assistance Recoupment 494,000 369,675Technical Assistance Drawdown Recoupment 0 0Annual Conference Receipts 0 0Other 0 0Match Funding 0 151,977Total 8,897,595 4,112,667

ExpenditurePayroll Costs 1,140,163 1,450,318Travel & Subsistence-staff 103,811 94,660Ann. Alls. Art 35 (1) 92,457 74,524Travel Art 35 (2) (A) 35,696 27,311Pension Related Deduction 44,082 37,218Conference Fees 6,917 8,399Office Equipment, Supplies & Contracts 20,114 35,866Energy Costs 13,053 16,117Post & Phone 25,318 21,159Rent, Rates & Water Charges 144,292 143,761Repairs, Maintenance & Annual Contracts 42,643 28,799Insurance 12,181 12,659Annual Report 3,908 6,085Consultancy/Professional Fees 131,683 33,484Public Relations 49,166 34,436Contributions 30,527 22,290Bank Charges 853 1,134Health and Safety 2,354 2,145Technical Assistance – Assembly 0 112,031Technical Assistance - Regional Authorities 3,859 159,156Technical Assistance – Atlantic Gateways Initiative 297 4,891Technical Assistance – Monitoring & Management 0 3,397EU Programmes – Project Payments 5,568,038 483,960Miscellaneous 23,659 11,010EU Programmes – Match Funding 0 81,977General Reserve 60,000 60,000Depreciation Charge 31,988 28,939Territorial Co-operation Operating Programme 44,739 18,267WIN Scheme 11,010 5,114Contra 5,500 104,338Superannuation Contra 34,929 35,971Total Expenses 7,683,236 3,159,417

Excess of Income over Expenditure 1,214,359 953,250Balance @ beginning of Year 3,898,472 2,945,222Balance @ end of Year 5,112,831 3,898,472

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Consolidated Balance Sheetfor the Financial Year ending 31st December 2010

Consolidated ConsolidatedAccount 2010 Account 2009

€ €

Fixed Assets 103,125 98,632

Current Assets

Cash at Bank 2,690,512 4,100,872

Stock

Debtors 3,736,421 452,353

6,426,933 4,553,225

Current Liabilities

Creditors & Accruals 1,225,606 624,040

Credit Card 3,314 1,016

Overdrawn at Bank 0 0

1,228,920 625,056

Net Current Assets 5,198,013 3,928,169

Net Assets 5,301,139 4,026,801

Financed by

Balance @ beginning of year 3,963,581 2,945,222

Excess of Income over Expenditure 1,214,359 953,249

General Reserve 119,978 60,000

Fixed Assets Revaluation 68,330 68,330

P&L - 65,108 0

5,301,139 4,026,801

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