Planning & Economic Development

Through the making and implementation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES), the Regional Assembly strives to ensure that regional priorities and local needs are addressed cohesively. A Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy is a planning and economic framework that considers the future development of the region for a period of not less than 12 years and not more than 20 years.

The first RSES for the region was made by the Regional Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended). The RSES is a strategic plan which identifies regional assets, opportunities and pressures and provides appropriate policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives.

The objective of a RSES is to support the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF), as part of Project Ireland 2040, and the economic policies and objectives of the Government by providing a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the Region. The RSES is of critical importance for the delivery of Project Ireland 2040, given that it is the succeeding tier of policy delivery in Ireland.

The elected members of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) agreed to make the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) 2019-2031, on June 28th 2019.

Complementary Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies have also been prepared by the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern & Western Regional Assembly for their respective regions.