Secondary Economic Activities

Secondary Activities such as manufacturing are not well developed in the west of Ireland. This is because of factors such as infrastructure and the labour force.

How Infrastructure impacts Manufacturing:

• The Western region of Ireland has historically had worse infrastructure than the rest of Ireland. This has limited the growth of industry in the region.
• The M6 motorway, linking Galway to Dublin, only opened in 2010. Before this, the poor road network hampered the efficient transport of goods and raw materials.
• The region has limited air access, with Knock airport offering fewer flights compared to Dublin, restricting international connectivity for manufacturers.
• There is a lack of rail systems and poor public transport services further hindering local industrial development.
• The region's weak electrical grid makes it difficult for power-intensive industries to establish operations in the West of Ireland.

How the Labour Force impacts Manufacturing:

• The Western region has a smaller population, providing a limited pool of skilled workers, which impacts the growth of manufacturing industries.
• There are fewer third-level educational institutions in the West, compared to Dublin, result in fewer graduates and a smaller skilled workforce.
• The concentration of skilled labour is mostly around Galway, where industries such as technology and medical supplies are based.
• International companies often overlook the region due to the smaller pool of available skilled workers, reducing foreign investment in manufacturing.
• The limited number of large towns and cities restricts the availability of unskilled labour, further affecting the growth of the industrial sector in the region.