elphin local area plan 2009 - 2015 - Roscommon County Council

Chapter 5: Economic Development and Employment
Key to promoting employment growth and a strong entrepreneurial spirit will be the provision of high
quality infrastructure including broadband and the creation of more third level education provision
including R&D facilities and support for small and medium size enterprises (SME’s) and high potential
start-up companies (HPSU’s).
5.3 PHYSICAL CONTEXT – ECONOMIC STRATEGY
5.3.1 Economic Profile
Employment and industry are of fundamental importance to the economic and social development of
Elphin. Apart from Roschem, a chemical and detergent manufacturing company, there are no major
industries in the Elphin Area at present. A significant proportion of people living in the area commute to
towns such as; Longford, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Roscommon for employment. NBNA in Carrick-on-
Shannon, Hanley’s Quarry, and Masonite are three of the largest employers in the area. Agriculture and
agricultural services still remain a significant source of employment in the area. The Mart in Elphin has
played an important part of life in the town for many years. Employment is also generated in the Elphin
area in, for example; small shops, supermarkets, solicitor’s offices, insurance brokers, and betting offices.
The Council recognises that this LAP alone cannot create employment; however aspects of the Plan can
influence job creation. The Council can facilitate economic development and employment creation
opportunities in Elphin. In order to achieve this, the Plan has zoned land in a range of proportions and
locations to facilitate growth in these sectors. In the interests of balanced development, all commercial and
industrial proposals will only be considered where they are not detrimental to the environment, residential
amenity or traffic safety and flow.
While Elphin acts as a local service centre for the surrounding rural hinterland, there is insufficient
indigenous employment for residents of the town at present. The Council will ensure that there is an
adequate amount of industrial zoning in Elphin in order to facilitate future industrial development in this
area.
As outlined above, there is a large agricultural sector on the fringes of the town and this provides limited
employment. However many farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to entice their sons or daughters
to remain in Elphin and work the farms due to low farm incomes. Farming has now become
predominantly part-time and primarily consists of farm sizes between 50-100 acres. Many farmers’ wives
also work part-time in order to supplement family incomes. There are few full-time dairy farmers and the
main type of farming is ‘suckling herds’. The Mart also provides employment for the town.
In most cases farm income is supplemented by a mixture of wages, ‘headage’ payments, unemployment
assistance or F.Á.S schemes. With changes in agricultural production and reduction in EU financial
supports, farming can be expected to contribute less income in the future. A reduction in farm related
employment is likely.
Elphin lacks industry despite having an educated workforce. There is a need to stimulate entrepreneurship
with assistance from support agencies (IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and the Enterprise Board). The Council
will seek to facilitate continual employment creation, and will help attract and facilitate indigenous
industry during the Plan period.
All industrial developments and business parks should be however, appropriately landscaped to ensure
they integrate sensitively within the natural environment of Elphin. Industrial and business developments
must provide good accessibility, room for vehicular movements – including deliveries, infrastructural
services, and on-site car-parking.
Elphin Local Area Plan 2009-2015 Page 38