Planning & Economic Development

The Regional Assembly plays a significant role in planning and economic development, acting as a key intermediary between national policies and local implementation to ensure that regional development is strategic, coordinated, and sustainable.

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.

In this section

Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019-2031 (RSES)

The primary statutory objective of the Strategy is to support implementation of Project Ireland 2040 – which links planning and investment through the National Planning Framework (NPF) and ten- year National Development Plan (NDP) – and the economic and climate policies of the Government by providing a long-term strategic planning and investment framework for the Region.

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Link to: Regional Development Monitor

Regional Development Monitor

The Regional Development Monitor (RDM), provides a national mapping and visualisation tool with a range of analytics dashboards.

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Link to: Submissions made by EMRA

EMRA Submissions

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Latest News & Events

All News & Events

Explore EU Urban Opportunities – Join Us May 1st at the Custom House

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), as Ireland’s National Contact Point for URBACT and the European Urban Initiative (EUI), invites you…
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AIR Training Seminar 2025 highlights video

We are proud to share the highlights from the 2025 Association of Irish Regions (AIR) Annual Seminar, held in Athlone on 5 and 6 February 2025 marking…
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Regional Assemblies and Maynooth University launch innovative National Census Atlas and Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) dashboard

6 February 2025, EMRA, NWRA and SRA in collaboration with the All-Island Research Observatory (AIRO) at Maynooth University, launched the National Census Atlas and Smart Specialisation Strategy Visualisation Dashboard.
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AIR Seminar Celebrates a Decade of three Regional Assemblies in Ireland

The Association of Irish Regions (AIR) held its 3rd annual training seminar in Athlone on 5-6 February 2025. The event celebrated 10 years of three Regional Assemblies in Ireland and launched the National Census Atlas & S3 Visualisation Dashboard.
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THRIVE Call 2

Ministers announce €60 million for THRIVE scheme to revitalise heritage buildings in Southern, Eastern and Midland Regions

Announcement of €60 million in funding through the ERDF THRIVE scheme, with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly owned heritage buildings within town centres.
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Photo from event called "Green Futures, Sustainable Innovation in the Midlands" showing a group of men and women holding a sign that says #EUinmyRegion

Midlands Lead the Way: EUJTF Projects Showcase Sustainable Innovations

An event on 4 December at TUS Athlone showcased five projects that are receiving EU JTF support and talked about driving innovation in carbon neutrality and transforming the Midlands.
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Close up of hands showing people planning work streams

Have your say in the future Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly Corporate Plan

The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly is currently preparing its new Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan is the Assembly’s strategic framework for…
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Launch of EU JTF Midlands Pathway to Just Transition Project

The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan (MREP), Pathway for Just Transition, a €3.9million EU JTF-funded project to boost economic growth in Ireland's Midlands, was launched in Portlaoise on 4 October 2024 by Ministers Ryan and Burke.
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Industrial buildings in the Eastern and Midland Region

‘Regional Innovation Valley’ status given to Ireland’s 3 Regions by European Commission

EMRA along with all the other two of Ireland's regions have been designated as 'Regional Innovation Valleys' by the European Commission.
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Wooden trail with text overlay announcing project selected

Projects Selected for EU JTF Community and Enterprise Grants

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, today has announced that 15 sustainability-focused projects in the Midlands will…
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EMRA Director, Cathaoirleach, and CE Laois

First meeting of the new Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly

First meeting of the new Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly was held on Friday 12th July 2024 following local elections.
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EU Just Transition Fund highlighted at the National Recovery and Resilience Plan annual event

EU JTF attends the annual event for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan on 11 July 2024.
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Quick links

Our work and functions

Contact EMRA

Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly
3rd Floor North, Ballymun Civic Centre
Main Street, Ballymun
Dublin 9, D09 C8P5
Ireland

+353 (0) 1 8074482

info@emra.ie

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