Irish Rural Link
Submission to the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food 2020 Committee
31st March 2010
Tables of contents
1. General Comments
2. Introduction
3. The Rural Economy
4. Rural Development Strategy 2007-2013
5. Farm Size and Structure
6. Weaknesses of CAP today
7. Irish Rural Link’s Vision
8. Farm Safety
9. Rural Communities & fostering the smart green bio economy
10. Climate Change
11. Renewables
12. Training
13. Conclusion
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1. General Comments
Irish Rural Link wish to reiterate our disappointment at the composition of the 2020
Committee, in particular the absence of a representative bringing a rural business and
rural community dimension to the Committee’s work. Without this dimension we do
not believe the Committee can adequately investigate the future relationship between
the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors, rural communities and the wider rural
economy. Irish Rural Link believe developing this relationship is vital to building a
sustainable and resilient rural economy into 2020 and beyond. Exploiting and
nurturing the opportunities for non agriculture based employment in rural areas must
be integrated into the 2020 strategy. Given the Department’s central role in delivering
the Rural Development Programme and particularly the priority of encouraging
diversification of economic activity, the exclusion of an organisation representing the
wider rural economy and rural communities from the Committee is regrettable. The
omission of IRL from the Committee does not further the aim for a coherent rural
development policy or linking CAP policy and the Lisbon, Gothenburg and Salzburg
agendas.
1.2 Whither Synergy?
The absence of a question asking “how to ensure compatibility/optimum synergy with
rural development policy and develop traction is the area” is regrettable. Studies such
as Pobal’s (2009) Social Cost Benefit Analysis of the Rural Social Scheme highlight
the benefits of non-agricultural measures for rural areas including substantial quality
of life improvements, through increased social contact; increased social capital and
greater access to training, advice and information. The learning associated with
iniatives and the wider opportunities other non farm based programmes may present
to rural areas and rural development must be considered as part of any 2020 strategy.
2. Introduction
Irish Rural Link have made a number of submissions in the past on rural
development, the potential role of the CAP and the future of Agri-business. This has
included discussions with the Oireachtas Committees on Agriculture and Food and
Social and Family Affairs. All our submissions are guided by the principle that the
wider rural economy can and must benefit from the allocation of CAP funds and
developments in Irish agri-business, fisheries and forestry.
Irish Rural Link have identified 5 key challenges facing the Irish rural development
which have informed this submission and which must be considered in the 2020
strategy. These are outlined below and explored in more depth throughout the
document.
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Table 1 Five key challenges
1. The low skills base of many
of those working part-time in
agriculture and of those leaving
the farming sector
2. The need for Irish farmers to
diversify into new land-based
enterprises which are less
dependent on direct supports
3. Enhancing the role of that
agriculture can play in a more
dynamic rural economy and
reviewing
and
removing
constraints on indigenous, and
local, niche food production
and processing
In the past construction offered employment for
rural based people, particularly young men with a
low skills based. Adequate training must always be
available to this population and a review of the
training and supports given to part-time farmers
and smallholders must also be undertaken. These
sections of the farming population are not
adequately served by existing measures which
focus heavily on viability to the detriment of
nurturing and training such farmers to enhance
productivity and make them aware of
opportunities.
This requires equipping and up skilling farmers
with the business capacity to identify and grow
opportunities in sectors such as tourism, sports and
leisure and renewable energy production while
addressing the challenges of an inflexible planning
system. It requires greater links with the relevant
departments. There is a particular need to
comprehensively review the role of training
agencies such as the Institutes of Technology, FAS
and Teagasc in the delivery of training fit for the
new demographics and changing agricultural
population.
A review of food production and processing, from
farm to fork, is required. Challenges include limits
on artisan and local food production and the power
of multiples. The role of large players in the
market needs to be examined, as does the future
role of large cooperatives and food processors,
particularly in the context of recently reported
remutualisation of the industry, which in the long
term may see processing remaining with PLCs and
decoupling from production. The Departments of
Agriculture and Enterprise must be involved in
realising the significant job opportunities in the
sector but we cannot rely on existing structures.
While the intention of decoupling of farm
payments to production of over supply, a
consequence is that much farm production in
Ireland is a primarily a loss making exercise now.
The respective stakeholders in the industry
including national government, the EU, retailers
and processers need to take action to correct a food
supply chain is effectively broken.
It is
inconceivable to think that primary producer can
continue indefinitely to produce at a loss. If this
indigenous industry is allowed to falter there will
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be significant aftershocks for the wider rural
economy. Legislation also needs to be reviewed to
protect not only primary producers but also the
consumer in the food production equation.
This also needs to examine the role and long term
viability of farmers markets and how to enhance
them. In this regard there is a need to examine the
role of local authorities in establishing local
markets as well as examining the constraints
placed on them because of inadequate legislation.
Farmer’s markets are an integral part of European
rural communities and towns. Their establishment
ensures that farmers can enhance their incomes,
jobs are created and the food chain is considerably
shortened, which in itself contributes positively to
the requirements of climate change.
4.
Supporting
rural Agriculture cannot be considered in isolation from
communities as key economic the wider, non agricultural, rural community.
and social drivers.
Trends in agriculture confirm that greater
consideration must be given to enhancing the
sustainability of the wider community in any long
term strategy. Community based enterprise centres
are drivers of rural employment. The work of IRL
members such Mountmellick Development
Association and Ballyhoura Development - as well
as the venue for our 2009 conference Dunhill Eco
Park - must be learned from, supported and
enhanced. These projects have created employment
in rural settings. Building linkages between such
initiatives, agriculture and other industries is vital.
5. Meeting the changes to deal This can be used as an opportunity to benefit from
with climate change.
lower costs via water recycling, efficiency and
microgeneration. The location of Ireland’s
renewable energy assets is inherently rural and the
potential of crops (though not affecting food
production) and the role of forestry is a key
consideration. Specific research on such measures
environmental and economic potential and a
dedicated unit in the Department ensuring
measures are coordinated and coherent is required
to avoid a litany of distinct ‘green wash’ measures
which do little to tackle climate change and which
may on occasion cancel each other out. The green
economy has further potential if green technology
is researched and manufactured in rural areas.
Ensuring enterprise supports recognise this is vital.
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3. The Rural Economy
Rural areas are characterised by their narrow economic base. The rise in
unemployment occurring across all sectors will be most difficult to resolve in rural
areas which are over-reliant on primary industries such as agriculture, construction
and low-level manufacturing, e.g. in 2006 34% of men in BMW region were
employed in agriculture or construction while the Midland & Border regions are
showing steepest drop in employment.
According to Teagasc farmers relying solely on farm income have a higher
probability of poverty and deprivation. Furthermore, farmers working outside the
farm tend to be employed at the lower skilled end of the employment spectrum which
further exacerbates their exposure to the downturn (O’Brien and Hennessy, 2008).
The average farm income is below the average industrial income at less than €20,000
(Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 2009).
The CSO’s “County Incomes and Regional GDP for 2006” (2009) show that the
disposable income per person in 2006 in the Southern and Eastern region was 3%
above the State average while the corresponding figure for the Border Midland and
Western region was 8.3% below the State average. The CSO figures show that
disposable income per person was highest in the Dublin region, where it was more
than 12% above the State average. The Border region was 8% below the average and
the Midland region was 9.4% below average. Only Limerick, Kildare and Meath were
the other counties above the State average. Eight counties were below 90% of the
average, with Kerry over 13% below the State average. Donegal had the lowest
disposable income per person at more than 16.5% below the state average. At the
level of the eight Regional Authority areas the Dublin region had the highest
disposable income per person, being 12.3% above the State average in 2006. The
disposable income per person of the Midland region was 9.4% below the State
average in 2006 and was the lowest of the eight Regional Authority areas. The
deterioration in the economy will inevitably result in an even deeper gap between the
incomes of rural and urban workers.
There is significant deprivation in rural Ireland with two thirds of the economically
poor living in rural Ireland and almost a quarter of farm families living with an
income of below the minimum wage (McDonagh, 2006). Many low-income
household budgets are fully committed. A recent study indicated that in Ireland the
percentage of people at risk of poverty1 is 14.3% for urban areas and 21.5% in rural
areas (Bertolini, Montanari, and Peragine, 2009).
Rural households’ disposable income is already below that of their urban
counterparts2 and recent CSO figures have shown that disposable income per person
was highest in the Dublin region, where it was more than 12% above the State
average. The Border region was 8% below the average and the Midland region was
The study used the Eurostat definition (at-risk-of poverty rate) as “the share of persons with an
equivalised disposable income below the risk-of -poverty threshold, which is set at 60% of the national
median equivalised disposable income”. The “at risk of poverty rate”, as defined above, is one of the
key Laeken indicators of social exclusion.
2 Urban households record the highest disposable income at €871.43, just over 9% more than the
€796.77 recorded for rural households (CSO, 2007)
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9.4% below average. Only Limerick, Kildare and Meath were the other counties
above the State average. Donegal had the lowest disposable income per person at
more than 16.5% below the state average.
According to the 2006 Census, only one in five (21.5%) of the working population of
rural areas is working in agriculture (as a farmer or agriculture worker), a decline
from one in three (31%) in 20023.
There is clearly a significant and growing rural population who are not engaged in
agriculture, and as rural areas tend to have different needs, operate at a different scale
to urban areas, have different issues regarding access to services and have been harder
hit by the loss of jobs in the recession and will find it most difficult to access
opportunities in any future growth.
This situation requires a shift away from primary production to higher value sectors
and activities which will require rural communities’ to mobilise their strong track
record of innovative thinking and adapting to changing circumstances, e.g. on the
group water scheme. Without this transformation, economic growth will continue to
concentrate on Ireland’s core regions with the highest value-added sectors and this
will exacerbate regional inequalities in growth, productivity and incomes.
4. Rural Development Strategy 2007-2013
Irish Rural Link has consistently complimented those involved in the preparation and
compiling of the National Rural Development Strategy 2007-2013. We note the
obligations of the strategy to adhere to the European Union’s Regulations and
Strategic Guidelines as well as honouring the Lisbon Agenda. We welcomed in
particular the threefold increase of the budget available to specifically rural
development issues under Axis 3 and 4. However, we must point out that of a total
budget of €7 billion the amount proposed for rural development of €425 million
represents just over 6%, and when broken down over a 6 year period may well fall
short of overall expectations, as the following table shows.
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Total no. of persons living in Aggregate Rural Areas nationally who were 'at work' in 2006 was
729,267; Total no. of persons living in Aggregate Rural Areas who classify their occupation as 'farmer'
in 2006 was 139,790. The percentage of persons 'at work' living in Aggregate Rural Areas who were
farmers in 2006 was 19.2%.There were 16,702 persons living in Aggregate Rural Areas who classified
themselves as 'agricultural workers' in 2006. If these are added to farmers, then the percentage of those
'at work' who live in Aggregate Rural Areas who are farmers or agricultural workers in 2006 was
21.5%. In 2002 that figure was 31.0%.
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Table 2 Breakdown of RDP 2007-13 Spending
Environment and farm
for the Rural
Environment Scheme
(REPS) and Natura
Farming
Forestry
Rural
Amount
€3 billion
€1.8 billion
Disadvantaged
Scheme
€968m
€481m
for forestry
Farm
Restructuring
Rural
development
€425m
€6.499 billion
Writing recently Commissioner Fischer Boel (2009) stated:
With regard to the future of the CAP, I’ve given my personal view that rural
development policy is where “a lot of the music will be in future”. It will do its share
of the work of pulling us out of the economic crisis. And it’s also emerging as one of
the main policy tools with which we can confront the challenges of climate change
and water management, as well as seize the potential of renewable energy.
Irish Rural Link are not convinced such broad thinking is adequately reflected in the
documentation the Department has circulated as part of this consultation process
which focuses too narrowly on trying to maintain the status quo.
5. Farm size and structure
If we accept that almost half of all farms (Irish Agricultural Development paper, p.8)
are vulnerable and that the decline in farm numbers is persistent and inevitable we
need a strategy to deal with this and develop off farm economic opportunities in rural
areas for these farmers and their families. A key challenge will eg laing landholders
have access to a suite of supports and advice aimed at those who no longer consider
full-time farming a viable option.
6. Weaknesses of CAP today
6.1 Weaknesses of CAP
The EU Commission’s has a stated commitment to a “European Model of
Agriculture” which “is not the same model as pursued by our major competitors
elsewhere. There are many differences between ours and theirs. Seeking to be
competitive should not be confused with blindly following the dictates of a market
that is far from perfect. The European model is designed to safeguard the earnings of
farmers, above all keeping them stable, using the machinery of the market
organisations and compensatory payments.” However, given that direct payments
now account for 98% of Family Farm Income, the long-term sustainability of our
current agricultural model surely needs to reconsidered to ensure that it is less reliant
on income supports.
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According to the ex ante evaluation of Ireland’s draft Rural Development Strategy
(AFCon, 2006) the whole programme was based on trying to stimulate rural areas on
the basis of agricultural investment. There is an underlying assumption that
interventions are mainly implemented via farmers who are seen as central to the rural
economy notwithstanding the decline in farm numbers.
Dwyer and Maye of the Universities of Gloucestershire and West of England (2009)
completed a comparative analysis of the design and early delivery of the Rural
Development Programmes of Ireland and England and make some interesting points.
In interviews Dwyer and Maye asked participants for their views on RDP priorities
and reasons for the choice of measures. Interviews with Irish officials who drafted the
RDP emphasize pragmatism, with one explaining “…we were obliged to spend so
much on Axis 1, so much on 2 and so much on 3. So we found ourselves looking at a
menu and saying “what is going to best fit with our national priorities?””.
According to Dwyer and Maye the comments also suggest a strong commitment to
support for the farm sector, as part of a longstanding concern to boost farm incomes.
Dwyer and Maye argue that the influence of the farm lobby emerged as particularly
significant in respect of the design of the Irish RDP. This is part of a highly embedded
political process. As one respondent explained, “I think farmers will see it as designed
to transfer money to them, so the thing is to make it as easy as possible, as
straightforward, as certain, as possible”. Dwyer and Maye state that there is perceived
to be a sense of ‘inevitability’ about the orientation and emphasis of the Irish RDP
towards the farm sector.
As noted in the ex ante independent report:
Weaknesses under Axis 3 could be developed further beyond low level of broadband
availability – there is little about local social infrastructure, transport for elderly, etc. Also
it would be useful to define in what context is something considered a weakness –
agricultural development or quality of rural life.
Issues that contribute to social exclusion are not properly looked at currently. To
that end the government have worked very hard in the promotion of initiatives that
benefit the poorer section of community. Yet a package worth €7 billion to the rural
community completely ignores this strategy. Indeed it ignores most other national
strategies as well, such as the National Spatial Strategy, the disability strategy, the
National Anti-Poverty strategy etc.
The real weakness of the current CAP is the less than satisfactory resources available
to the wider rural community. There are compelling arguments as to why this should
have been addressed.
1. The increased rationalisation of farm holdings means that more and more
people will be disconnected to farming, but will want to remain within their
own community, or at least have the choice. The benefits of a younger
population remaining within their own community are huge in terms of its
economic and social sustainability.
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2. 40% of our overall population live in dispersed settlements, and therefore
require a much higher level of service. The viability of such services depends
on our ability to link a range of national strategies in such a way as to ensure
their success in terms of community access. This strategy is likely to
contribute to the rationalisation of farm units, and by extension the number of
families who can live and work in their own areas.
3. The strategy could present Government with a golden opportunity to redesign
a whole range of education and training initiatives, based on the establishment
of a comprehensive education and training programme, which would be
available to all ages. While the support of small enterprise is likely to increase
under the strategy, obstacles such as planning, poor basic infrastructure, and
lack of cohesion in the availability of health and social services, are not
addressed.
4. Failure to link the spending to the range of other strategies geared to tackling
rural development.
5. The support of farming is essential; however CAP needs to make available
resources allowing the more sustainable use of land. There is some assistance
available to those who wish to go down the alternative energy route, but
nowhere near what is be possible, particularly in the establishment of a bio
fuel processing industry as an example.
The Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 is an opportunity to diversify and build a
truly resilient rural economy. The challenges facing rural areas in Ireland are the
narrow economic base, the ongoing restructuring of agriculture, developing the
potential of these areas as a source of energy and as leisure destinations, regional
inequalities, geographic peripherality and rural disadvantage. After 2013 the focus
must be on developing opportunities for off-farm working, for part-time farmers, the
children of farmers and for the rural population who are not involved in farming.
Rural areas are characterised by their narrow economic base, e.g. in 2006 34% of men
in BMW region were employed in agriculture or construction while the Midland &
Border regions are currently showing the steepest drop in employment. A social group
significantly impacted upon by the decline in construction are part-time farmers who
supplemented farming income with off-farm work in construction. In many cases
they worked full-time in construction and undertook farming in their off hours. A
study by Teagasc (2008) has shown that participation in the off-farm labour market
plays an important role in ensuring the sustainability of farm households and in
insulating farmers from relative poverty.
These figures show that in future the focus must be on developing opportunities for
off-farm working, for part-time farmers, the children of farmers and for the significant
rural population outside farming.
The preponderance of small holdings remains extremely high. Unfortunately in the
global economy, which we now inhabit, this may mean holdings that are no longer
viable in economic terms. It could be argued that staying with a failed and in the long
term unsustainable model, without looking at real and long term solutions is a
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weakness of the CAP and this must be addressed. This is why the process looking at
the shape of CAP after 2013 initiated by the Minister is welcome.
According to Eurobarometer figures published by the European Commission in
March 2010 a majority of Irish people believe actions “to develop the rural areas
while preserving the countryside” should be dealt with at a national, rather than
European level. Also significantly more Irish people than the EU27 figure believe
developing rural areas while preserving the countryside should be a priority for
European agricultural and rural development policy. This suggests a recognition of
the range of non-agricultural actors which exist in rural areas and that agricultural
policy can and should support wider rural development but that the Irish government
should drive this.
6.2 CAP consultations
Details of when the Department of Agriculture is publishing the findings of its
previous CAP post-2013 consultations as considering both in isolation will not
contribute to a coherent vision for Irish agriculture, particularly as the supporting
documentation on CAP post 2013 notes that the tabling of detail proposals for the
future of CAP is likely to occur as early as 2010.
7. Irish Rural Link’s Vision
According to the White Paper on Rural Development the overall goal of rural policy
in Ireland is to create “vibrant, sustainable rural communities” and avoid “geographic
displacement”. Teagasc note that, “without off-farm employment, 70 per cent of the
farm families would be in a vulnerable position …... the long term sustainability of
farming depends on the availability of off-farm employment”.
It is difficult to see how the a policy which directs over 90% of its funding to
agricultural interventions promotes rural development objectives as they are set out in
the White Paper on Rural Development and provides opportunities for off-farm
working.
OECD research suggests that many assumptions suggesting the inevitable decline of
rural economies are not borne out by the facts. Evidence from OECD member states
does not show that all have buoyant rural regions but that many buoyant rural
economies do exist. The conclusions that the OECD has drawn on its research to date
is that successful rural economies require:
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Good transport and communications infrastructure;
A shift in focus from subsidising declining industries to making strategic
investments in rural regions;
A focus on local specificities as a means of generating new competitive
advantages, such as amenities (environmental or cultural) or local products
(traditional or labelled).
Key to the OECD view of successful rural regions is that they achieve comparative
advantage through valorisation of local assets. While the local asset to be exploited
may or may not be food-based it is likely to need the involvement of land-owners.
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The implementation and development of these elements of a buoyant rural economy
must be supported by the Common Agricultural Policy post 2013.
All future rural development funding programmes need to be much more sector
neutral and focus on job creation and the long-term sustainability of the rural
economy instead of subsidising declining sectors. Revisions should be made to ensure
that Axis 3 and the Leader Axis receive a significantly larger share of funding.
Announced in July the new strategy for a rural broadband scheme, provided under
Axis 3, is an example of how funding should be directed in the future to benefit the
entire rural economy. In his comments at the time Minister Smith pointed out that the
provision of adequate broadband facilities is an issue of considerable importance for
farmers and for all rural dwellers and that he was happy to work with Minister Ryan
in this regard. The initiative between the Departments of Agriculture and
Communications shows the type of cross department working that is required to
advance rural development and which should be supported in the CAP.
8. Farm safety
Irish Rural Link is a member of the Health and Safety Authority’s Farm Safety
Partnership and a strategy for the agri-food, forestry and fishing sector must include
commitments to making agriculture as safe as possible.
9. Rural Communities & fostering the smart green bio economy
Consideration for the rural communities where much of any proposed employment
and development will be based is notable by its absence in the supporting
documentation. The necessary supporting infrastructure- including broadband and
other physical infrastructure- as well as educational, further learning and 3rd level
opportunities must be part of any strategy in order to take advantage of the jobs
dividend envisaged.
10. Climate Change
Irish Rural Link consider the challenges and opportunities related to the Climate
Change element in the Department’s call for submissions as overarching and it
informs all aspects of this submission.
Farming is a water and energy intensive activity and water is an increasing cost to
farmers and obligations under the Water Framework Directive reinforce the need for
farms to make the most efficient use of water possible. Farming’s intensive use of
water has implications for the water reserves of the wider community. Farms have
large areas of roofed sheds and concrete yards and there is significant scope to
harvest, collect and recycle the water from these, enabling it to be used in farm
activities or - if suitably treated - as high quality drinking water.
Every farm should be required to develop a Water Management Plan and supports
would be supplied similar to the present Farm Waste Management Scheme. Supports
would be available to farmers to assist them in developing the water conservation
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plan. Assistance would then be available towards the implementation of that plan over
a period of time.
The plan should set out the development of systems to harvest rainwater as part of the
overall effort to reduce the farm’s use of water. An applicant farm’s Water
Management Plan would be required to outline ways rain and waste water will be
collected and reused efficiently.
Supports could also be provided to allow farmers develop Energy Management Plans.
Such supports would be required to be spent on more energy efficient plant and
machinery and on making farm buildings more energy efficient.
11. Renewables
11.1 Introduction
According to the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013 (2007)
renewable energy production can create economically and environmentally
sustainable enterprises and play an important role in the provision of employment.
The document states that the development of a policy and overall strategic framework
for this sector will be prioritised in the coming years.
The Government’s small scale microgeneration plans are only beginning to be rolled
out. Teagasc have however questioned whether the microgeneration scheme is
sufficient, arguing that the prices guaranteed fall short of international standards and
that it discriminates against farmers and households who receive their electricity from
a source other than ESB Customer Supply (Caslin, 2009). The IFA have described it
as a “missed opportunity” lacking long term political commitment (quoted in Young,
2009).
11.2 Opportunities in renewables
Renewable energy production can create economically and environmentally
sustainable enterprises and can play an important role in providing employment
opportunities in rural areas. The greatest potential for renewable generation is likely
to be in the least developed regions where opportunities to make the best use of
natural resources such as wind, wave and bioenergy production are found. These
opportunities will arise across the economy in primary production, electricity
generation, manufacturing and services. It has been estimated that the number of jobs
in the renewable energy industry globally in 2007 was 2.4 million, of which 1.1
million were in biofuels production (NESC, 2008).
The International Energy Agency gives a clear explanation of employment from
biomass, (IEA, 2002): “Direct employment results from operation and construction of
conversion plants as well as production and transportation of biomass. Indirect
employment is jobs generated within the economy as a result of expenditures related
to biomass fuel cycles and induced jobs are secondary jobs created by increased
spending in the region.” The Irish Farmers Association believe that up to 5000 jobs
can be created in biomass here. The Western Development Commission (WDC)
(2008) estimates that by 2020, using wood to produce heat energy could be worth an
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additional €15 million per annum to the economy, create up to 900 additional jobs in
rural areas. The WDC argue that creating manufacturing and research opportunities in
the region would create more jobs as their projections assume the CHP technology
would be imported into the region. Biomass is just one aspect of the renewable energy
sector.
A Marine Institute & Sustainable Energy Ireland study in 2005 calculated that 1,900
jobs could be created by 2020 if Ireland continued to invest in marine energy
technology.
ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd. (with a number of other organisations)
undertook a comprehensive study during 1998 and 1999 to quantify the employment
and economic impacts of renewable energy in the former EU15 (ECOTEC et al.,
1999). The study investigated direct, indirect and subsidy impacts. It estimated that
net new employment in the Republic of Ireland from renewables would be over
11,000 full-time-equivalents (FTEs) by 2020 (relative to a 1995 baseline). One FTE is
equivalent to more than 30 hours of work per week all year round.
It has been estimated that the development of renewable energy heating systems in
Northern Ireland and border counties in the Republic of Ireland (the INTERREG
Region) could result in a “… total of 1,650 new full time local jobs for the
installation, operation and maintenance of RE heating systems: 650 for wood heating
(300 Installers, Technicians & Engineers, plus 350 Farm, Transport and Contract
Workers to Supply the Wood Fuel); 500 for heat pumps (Installers, Technicians and
Engineers); 100 for solar thermal systems (Installers, Technicians and Engineers); 400
jobs in associated construction and installation activities.” (Action Renewables and
SEI, 2004: 4).
11. 3 Renewables Case Study - Westmeath Local Energy Audit
Any attempts to reduce energy consumption and develop innovative alternative
energy sources must be developed with consideration to local assets, knowledge and
experience. Completed in 2007 the Westmeath Local Energy Audit, commissioned by
Westmeath Community Development, assessed the renewable energy potential
available in Co. Westmeath, with a focus on agricultural and rural development.
Renewable energies investigated included: the growing of bioenergy crops such as
oilseed rape, miscanthus and willow; the production potential of wind energy and
hydro-power in addition to Co. Westmeath’s wood energy resources. It also identified
possible market outlets. It examined renewable energy activities underway in Co.
Westmeath such as the production of biodiesel, anaerobic digestion and others.
11.4 Renewables Recommendations
Irish Rural Link make the following policy recommendations which are required to
ensure rural communites are empowered to take advantage of the opportunities
renewable energies offer and create sustainable jobs.
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11.4.1 Co-operatives
It is Irish Rural Link’s opinion that any proposals to boost micro and local level
energy production will fail unless local groups are sufficiently fostered. Community
energy co-operatives should be supported. Such co-operatives would comprise a cross
section of rural communities. It will support local communities who are exploring
options for alternative energy production.
These co-operatives would be established to develop renewable energy solutions,
appropriate to local circumstances and requirements. The supports would foster the
development of such co-operatives from producer and discussion groups, leading to
the formation of co-ops.
Energy co-operatives aim to promote and facilitate locally the development and use of
renewable energy for the benefit of the co-operative members. The main purpose of
the co-operative is:
 Developing locally available renewable energy resources by and for the cooperative members
 Reducing the expenditure on energy (electricity and heating) sourced from
outside the county/area and maintain the expenditure within the local
community
75% of wind turbines in Denmark owned by local co-operatives (see Appendix 2) and
the model can also be used for anaerobic digesters etc.
Opportunities may include the development of a community bio-digester (anaerobic
digester) and combined heat and power plant (CHP) run off the biogas. Slurry from
local farms would be the major energy source and the heat may be used to heat
community buildings or local houses with the electricity sold to the grid. This also
mitigates the ecological risk of the significant amounts of slurry produced by farms
and creates an odourless fertilizer reducing nuisance to communities. Green waste
(such as lawn clippings etc.) from across the community could also be used as a fuel
source. Such a development may be most appropriate for locations where
development is clustered.
This is an opportunity to widen the economic base of communities. Any pilot schemes
can develop synergies with existing Leader groups and other local structures.
11.4.2 Training & Education for a green rural economy
Our work has identified a gap in the information available to rural communities on
renewables and climate change. These include:
Accreditation and Standardisation of Renewable Energy Training
The growth in the renewable industry industry has lead to an increase in demand for
training in all renewable technologies. This rapid growth has led to an explosion in
the number of training schemes available as there is an increased demand for a
properly trained green workforce. There is an urgency to ensure that this new
workforce is of a consistent and high standard and that it develops at the same rate as
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the renewable energy market is evolving. The objective of any training would be to
deliver core knowledge and skills on all facets of renewable technology.
A single, Europe-wide, green-collar certification scheme is essential at this stage to
ensure a supply of qualified workers who will be able to exploit the new job
opportunities both in Europe's as well as Ireland’s emerging green economies. The
European Computer Driver License (ECDL) that operates with computer training
could be a good template to follow. The implementation in Ireland of European
initiatives to train, accredit and certify trade professionals in new 'green-collar' trades
needs to be implemented. Properly-certified workers from this type of system will
have a clear advantage in gaining employment as well as pursuing the possibility of
enhancing their education in renewable energies technologies in other European
Countries.
Any new training recognition could be modelled on the Spanish government's
approval of 18 new professional certificates, which represent the official accreditation
of professional skills for certain labour market activities in that country. Those
participating in this level of training should be able to obtain good, stable employment
in the emerging green industries.
Education in renewables
Responses to a questionnaire distributed by Westmeath Community Development Ltd
at a recent information evening on micro-generation grants highlighted the urgent
need to provide comprehensive training on renewable energy for individuals and
community groups in the county. This need is reflected in the large attendances that
are turning out at the information events taking place through-out the country
advertising and promoting different brands of micro wind turbines now available in
Ireland.
Sadly there is no co-ordinated training taking place in Ireland at present. A training
model worth exploring to deliver on this challenge would be the Solarteur model.
Solarteur-Training was originally developed in Vienna, Austria. The European Solar
Schools, founded in Vienna in 1993 by Dr. Werner Rauscher, was the first to design
an educational curriculum to train qualified electricians, plumbers, roofers, tin-smiths,
cooling technicians etc. to design, install and service energy production systems
powered by renewable energy sources. The goal of the European Solar Schools was to
train a labour force who could offer services that allowed consumers sustainable
energy options while creating new job opportunities and economic security for a
professional labour force trained with a view towards the future. This new model of
training the labour force to use traditional skills they possessed in the context of
renewable energy development and production was a great success and led to an
alliance with five other European countries.
In this programme, the alliance formed by the success of the model of the European
Solar Schools developed an international educational certification standard in line
with the "Leonardo da Vinci" European training program. Seventeen Solarteur
Schools are presently operating in seven European countries with more opening on a
regular basis. Thousands of Solarteur engineers have been graduated and now earn
their living designing and building a sustainable future in a new economy.
15
In the town of Gussing, Austria, a Solarteur School was established in 2003 through
the cooperation of the Town of Gussing, The European Centre for Renewable Energy
and Solar Projects Ltd. The Solarteur Schools currently offer training in the
fundamentals of renewable energy production as well as advanced training. In
addition to training craftsmen, the Solarteur Schools also has a training program for
individuals who want to teach the curriculum at new Solarteur Schools worldwide.
With many of our agricultural colleges closing or recently closed throughout Ireland,
perhaps in view of the original use of these facilities and the land bank that is
available beside many of them, there may be opportunities to replicate and develop
this model in a number of locations strategically placed throughout Ireland in order to
deliver renewable energy training.
11.4.3 Joined Up Thinking and a One Stop Shop
There is a need to roll out a comprehensive support and advisory structure nationally
to fast-track the establishment of community renewable energy projects. This would
act as a local one-stop-shop for interested parties making enquiries regarding all
aspects of renewable energy production and energy conservation and deliver a
comprehensive service to community groups that need expert technical, legal and
financial advise on renewable energy projects. This could also serve as a contact for
communities to negotiate a stake in commercial projects being developed in their area
as well as exploit the opportunity of establishing renewable energy co-operatives. It is
related to the reorganisation of energy agencies outlined below.
11.4.4 Planning for renewables
Many renewable energy initiatives never get off the ground because of difficulties
with obtaining planning permission for their projects. Certain county development
plans have excluded areas that are perhaps more suited to the production of renewable
energy. There is a strong case that there should be more clarity in this area and that
counties should be clearly zoned as to their suitability and as to whether applications
would be acceptable when planning proposals are put forward. Interestingly in
Denmark there are no exceptions and the entire country is zoned suitable regarding
wind energy production.
Barriers to manufacturing in rural areas and a bias in the planning system against nontraditional enterprise in a rural setting means that renewable energy businesses
seeking to operate in rural areas, providing a range of jobs to rural dwellers, find this
difficult. Planning policy must not be too rigid as to prevent such businesses from
operating or expanding.
11.4.5 Audits
As noted above any attempts to reduce energy consumption and develop innovative
alternative energy sources must be developed with consideration to local assets,
knowledge and experience. Local energy audits should be completed to cover all the
country. Each area’s Audit would identify own unique mix of opportunities and
resources in a given area and propose a model to harness the renewable energy
potential of the area’s land, topography etc. Responsibility for eliminating duplication
16
may be given to local energy agencies which need to be restructured to make them fit
for purpose (see below).
Role of Local and Regional Energy Agencies
There are currently almost 180 regional and urban energy agencies throughout
Europe. 12 of these are situated in Ireland and were established in 1998 as a joint
initiative between their respective local authorities and the European Commission,
DG TREN under the SAVE II program. Funding for the agencies is provided by the
individual
Local
Authorities
and
local
bodies.
The aim of each agency is to support the development of sustainable development
initiatives in its region. Depending upon the individual requirements of each region
the agencies also focus on Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Conservation and
Management.
Unfortunately there is little public understanding or knowledge of the role of these
agencies and they should be overhauled to cover the entire country with a clearly
understood remit, including the promotion of local energy audits.
11.4.6 Enterprise support and mentoring
Forfas and InterTradeIreland (2008) note that the Environmental Goods and Services
(EGS) market includes a significant number of specialised start-ups and small
companies. These firms face difficulties in accessing start-up and growth finance
common to all small firms. Measures to improve seedcorn financing and remove
market failures in the access of finance for these firms will continue to be important,
particularly due to the credit crunch. As noted in the Zengia case study above,
mentoring from professionals skilled and knowledgeable about the sector is vital to
nuture enterprise and this knowledge should be built up in our enterprise agencies.
12. Training
Rural communities have a strong track record of innovative thinking and adapting to
changing circumstances, with the group water scheme just one example. Irish Rural
Link is aware that rural communities are curious about, and receptive to, knowledge
regarding environmental protection and sustainable development. However our work
has identified a gap in the information available to rural communities on such matters.
A budget must be retained to enable rural community based organisations to avail of
training and development services, information seminars etc. as part of building the
capacity of local communities. This training could involve how to conduct
environmental audits, the implications of climate change etc.
The availability of this funding will allow the wider rural communities to access
expertise on rural development issues so the communities can create their own
strategies for an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable future.
17
13. Conclusion
Supporting and developing synergies with the wider rural economy must be central to
any vision of Irish agriculture going forward. Examining how rural development is
funded and the emphasis of our rural development policy must be key.
18
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