Introduction

The publication of the Census 2006 data by the Central Statistics Office provides an important resource to identify key demographic and socio-economic trends nationally, regionally and at county and local level. This section profiles some of the most significant trends and indicators that are particularly sensitive to enterprise development in County Clare. Here, only the most significant data (including results from Census 2006) examining

key demographic trends, rurality and population density, age profiles, education and socio-economic status, place of work, location and size of enterprises, FDI and industrial production are reviewed.

Key Demographic Trends

In this section, changes in population for County Clare between 1991 and 2006 are illustrated. The focus is on county and regional level changes, but data are also provided for the 11 Urban and Rural Districts in Clare. These are the Urban Districts of Ennis and Kilrush and the Rural Districts of Ballyvaughan, Ennistymon, Corofin, Kildysart, Kilrush, Ennis, Meelick, Scarriff and Tulla.

 

Table 1.0 - Population change in the Mid-West counties 2002 - 2006

District	Persons 2002	Persons 2006	Males 2006	Females 2006	Actual change 2002 - 2006	Percentage change 2002 - 2006
Clare	103277	110950	56048	54902	7673	7.4
Limerick City and County	175304	184055	92680	91375	8751	5
Tipperary NR	61010	66023	33568	32455	5013	8.2
Mid-West	339591	361028	182296	178732	21437	20.6
State	3917203	4239848	2121171	2118677	322645	8.2

 

Figure 1.0 - Population change in the Mid-West counties 2002 - 2006

 

Table 1.1 - Population Change at County, UD and RD Levels

Urban & Rural District	1991 Total	M	F	1996 Total	M	F	2002 Total	M	F	Total	M	F
Clare County Ennis UD	90918 13730	46367 6645	44551 7085	94006 15333	47789 7487	46217 7846	103277 18830	52063 9018	51214 9812	110950 20142	56048 9877	54902 10265
Kilrush UD	2740	1354	1386	2594	1258	1336	2699	1330	1369	2657	1352	1305
Ballyvaghan RA Corrofin RA	2490 3025	1241 1581	1249 1444	2649 3098	1271 1610	1378 1488	2622 3102	1255 1630	1367 1472	2690 3309	1267 1712	1423 1597
Ennis RA	22908	11700	11208	23561	12021	11540	26043	13247	12796	28622	14519	14103
Ennistimon RA	8721	4529	4192	8849	4569	4280	9482	4830	4652	9792	4968	4824
Killadysert RA Kilrush RA	4415 10906	2301 5743	2114 5163	4336 10681	2257 5596	2079 5085	4193 10344	2168 5437	2025 4907	4502 10739	2343 5674	2159 5065
Meelick RA	10895	5537	5358	11593	5876	5717	13548	6877	6671	15069	7545	7524
Scarriff RA	5952	3022	2930	6031	3071	2960	6600	3284	3316	6747	3415	3332
Tulla RA	5136	2714	2422	5281	2773	2508	5814	2987	2827	6681	3376	3305

(RA= Rural Area)

Table 1.2 - Actual and Percentage Change in Population at County, UD and RA Level

Urban & Rural District	Actual Change 1991 - 1996	Actual Change 1996 - 2002	Actual Change 2002 - 2006	Percentage Change 1991 - 1996	Percentage Change 1996 - 2002	Percentage Change 2002 - 2006
Clare County	3088	9271	7673	3.4	9.9	7.4
Ennis UD	1603	3497	1312	11.7	22.8	7.0
Kilrush UD	-146	105	-42	-5.3	4.0	-1.6
Ballyvaghan RA	159	-27	68	6.4	-1.0	2.6
Corrofin RA	73	4	207	2.4	0.1	6.7
Ennis RA	653	2482	2579	2.9	10.5	9.9
Ennistimon RA	128	633	310	1.5	7.2	3.3
Killadysert RA	-79	-143	309	-1.8	-3.3	7.4
Kilrush RA	-225	-337	395	-2.1	-3.2	3.8
Meelick RA	698	1955	1521	6.4	16.9	11.2
Scarriff RA	79	569	147	1.3	9.4	2.2
Tulla RA	145	533	867	2.8	10.1	14.9

 

At county level (Figure 1.0), the statistics indicate an increase of 7,673 persons between 2002-2006, a total of 7.4%. This is down on the previous Census year where a total population increase of 9.9% was recorded between 1996-2002. At Urban and Rural District level, the most significant population changes occur in the Meelick and Tulla Rural Areas which show population increases of 11.2% and 14.9% respectively on 2002 figures. The components of the population increase in County Clare 2002-2006 are identified by distinguishing between growth attributed to natural increases and that attributed to migration.

• Population Change 2002 - 2006: Clare 7673, State 322645
• Natural Increase (births minus deaths): Clare 3504, State 31314
• Total Estimated Net Migration1: Clare 1469, State 191331
• Average annual birth rates per 1000 population: Clare 10.5, State 10.0
• Average annual death rates per 1000 population: Clare 5.0, State 4.7
• Average annual estimated net migration rates per 1000 of average population: Clare 6.5, State 7.8

In the four-year period between 2002-2006, County Clare's birth rate of 10.5 exceeded the national average of 10.0 per 1000 population, while Clare's death rate (5.0) also exceeded the national average of 4.7 per thousand population. The above figures also show that in Clare, net migration outweighed natural increase as a contributor to population growth. This raises the question of how much of this migration is due to movements between Irish counties and how much is due to migration from oversees. The Census does not provide these figures for the entire 2002-2006 period but it does give information about movements in the year directly prior to the Census of Population 2006. In Clare, the vast majority of people (95.2%) had been living in the county in 2005 and 2006. 2.3% were classified as having lived elsewhere in the State in 2005 with a total of 2.6% having lived outside the State (UK - 0.5%; Western Europe - 0.3%; Eastern Europe 1.2%; USA - 0.2% and Other: 0.5%).

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Rurality and Population Density

According to the Western Development Commission (WDC) report examining key demographic and socio-economic trends (2007), the Western Region in general is predominantly rural, with two thirds of the population (68.3%) living outside of towns with a population of 1,500 or more.

Approximately 32.6% of the population of County Clare lives in centres of 1,500+ with the remaining 67.4% living outside centres of 1,500+. Each of the larger towns (except Kilrush) in County Clare shows an increase in total population with concomitant increases in the population within legally defined boundaries and the population of suburbs or the environs. Of the five major towns in the population range 1,500-10,000, only Kilrush displayed a decrease in population of only -0.2%, with Ennis showing an increase of 10% and the population of Shannon increasing by 7.7% on the previous Census year. Sixmilebridge shows the most significant increase in population at 25% which possibly reflects the towns growing status as a commuter town situated within close proximity to both Limerick city and Ennis town centres.

Table 1.3 Populations of Key Towns (pop. 1,500+) in County Clare

Town Population	Total Population (including suburbs or environs) 2006	Total Population (including suburbs or environs) 2006	Population within legally defined boundary 2002	Population within legally defined boundary 2006	Population of suburbs or environs 2002	Population of suburbs or environs 2006	Percentage change in total population 2002-2006
Ennis	22051	24253	18830	20142	3221	4111	10
Shannon	8561	9222	8228	8481	333	741	7.7
Kilrush	26994	2694	2699	2657	0	37	-0.2
Sixmilebridge	1327	1659	0	0	0	0	25
Newmarket-on-Fergus	1496	1542	0	0	0	0	3.1

In relation to population density, the Census data reveal significant variations both within and between counties with those areas of lowest population density generally occurring in more remote and rural areas. (See Map 1.0 which indicates the number of persons per square kilometre).

Map 1.0 - Population density of electoral divisions - 2006

Not surprisingly, the map shows a high concentration of population around the urban district of Ennis where population density ranges from 100+ per square km in the town centre to between 50-100 per square km in the periphery (indicated by red and orange reflecting high density), while the darkest grey areas, which tend to be quite remote, are those DEDs with the lowest population density. The map clearly indicates that the sparsest populations occur along the Western region possibly associated with population decline in these areas and migration to the larger urban centres. There is a stark contrast between population densities in the Western region compared to the East particularly around Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wexford.

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Age Profile of County Clare

Tables 1.4 and 1.5 show the age profiles of each of the counties in the Mid-West region and some of the larger towns in County Clare (population 1,500 +) including the distribution of population across age groups. The age of the population is significant because it represents the numbers available to become part of the labour force as well as indicating the proportion of the population who might be classified as 'dependent'.

Table 1.4 - Persons (males and female) classified by age group in Mid-West Region and the State 2006

State	Mid-West	Tipp NR	Limerick City and County	Clare	Age Group
4239848	361028	66023	184055	110950	Total
302252	25204	4707	12291	8206	0-4
288325	25044	4846	12080	8118	5-9
273872	23770	4549	11572	7649	10-14
290257	25700	4296	14135	7269	15-19
342475	28707	4494	17160	7053	20-24
373078	28713	4649	16104	7960	25-29
349361	27688	4962	14112	8614	30-34
322105	26645	4837	13055	8753	35-39
301329	25529	4878	12405	8246	40-44
274745	23798	4447	11767	7584	45-49
247068	21885	4147	10963	6775	50-54
225328	20347	3668	10051	6628	55-59
181727	16387	3128	8085	5174	60-64
143396	12674	2338	6352	3984	65-69
119152	10621	2249	5202	3170	70-74
92466	8203	1740	3938	2525	75-79
64884	5874	1264	2838	1772	80-84
48028	4239	824	1945	1470	85 +

 

Table 1.5 - Persons (males and female) classified by age group in key towns in County Clare 2006

Age Group	Total	0-14 years	15-24 years	25-44 years	45-64 years	65 years and over
Ennis	24253	5118	3225	8657	4768	2485
Shannon	9222	1903	1502	3200	1939	678
Kilrush	2694	502	307	670	717	498
Sixmilebridge	1659	391	211	632	326	99
Newmarket-on-Fergus	1542	275	251	432	413	171

 

Table 1.4 describes population peaks between the 20-24 and 30-34 age groups and subsequent declines in each county in the Mid-West region for 2006. In general, the relatively high numbers in the lower age categories (0-19) reflect the overall trend of increased birth rates in recent decades. A similar peak is evident at town level (Table 1.5). The figures show that the greatest proportion of the population in the Mid-West and in key towns in County Clare fall into the working age categories of between 16-65 years, while the older proportion of the population declines sharply from age 60+.

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Education Status and Qualifications

The use of education status and qualifications is an important indicator of human capital, social mobility, technological competency and a potential employee's ability to adapt to continuing socio-economic change. The Enterprise Strategy Group report Ahead of the Curve, Ireland's Place in the Global Economy (2004) identifies some key aspects of education and skills development as critical to the future of the enterprise sector:

1. Maximise numbers entering higher education: an adaptive and responsive higher education sector is necessary to generate the intellectual capital required to fuel an innovation driven economy.
2. To foster the continual acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, formalized approaches to lifelong learning must be introduced and corresponding delivery structures put in place.

Tables 1.6 and 1.7 show a number of interesting trends which summarise the highest level of education attained by the population in County Clare aged 15 years and over who have completed full-time education for 2002 and 2006 and also levels of educational attainment in counties in the Mid-West region and in key towns in Clare with populations in excess of 1,500.

Table 1.6 - % of the population in Clare and the State (15 years +), who have finished full-time education, by the highest level of education completed, 2002 and 2006 (Source, WDC 2007)

Primary (incl. no formal education) 2002	Primary (incl. no formal education) 2006	Secondary 2002	Secondary 2006	Third level Non-degree 2002	Third level Non-degree 2006	Third level Degree or higher 2002	Third level Degree or higher 2006	Not Stated 2002	Not Stated 2006
%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
20.3	16.5	51.3	50.2	9.7	11.1	13.4	16.4	5.2	5.8
21.1	18.0	49.2	48.3	9.5	10.6	15.1	18.5	5.1	4.6

Table 1.7 - Persons, males and females aged 15 years and over classified by highest level of education completed, 2006 (for the Mid-West region and towns with populations in excess of 1500 in County Clare)

District	Total	Total whose full-time education has ceased	Primary (incl. no formal education)		Lower secondary	Upper secondary	Third level, non-degree	Third level, degree or higher	Not stated	Total whose full-time education not ceased	Total at school, university, etc			Other economic status
Clare	86977	74967		12402	14598	23001	8330	12272	4364	12010		7887		4123
Limerick	148112	122555		22231	26765	35837	13113	19972	4637	25557		18632		6925
Tipp NR	51921	44813		8193	10294	14066	4411	6067	1782	7108		4758		2350
Mid-West	287010	242335		42826	51657	72904	25854	38311	10783	44675		31277		13398
State	3375399	2850333		514085	573411	803498	301327	527775	130237	525066		349596		175470
Ennis	19135	16334		2177	2763	5179	1954	3390	871	2801		1462		1339
Shannon	7319	6162		805	1314	2314	644	791	294	1157		655		502
Kilrush	2192	1934		460	362	538	131	194	249	258		148		110
Sixmilebridge	1268	1091		179	253	334	137	154	34	177		112		65
Newmarket-on-Fergus	1267	1093		210	292	321	97	107	66	174		129		45

In relation to those who have at most primary or no formal education, the figures show a noticeable decrease from 20.3% in 2002 to 16.5% in County Clare in 2006. This compares favourably with the State average of 18% in this category for 2006. Those with primary/secondary education alone has also decreased slightly from 51.3% in 2002 to 50.2% in 2006 with an associated increase in the percentage of the population with third level non-degrees (increase from 9.7% to 11.1%) and third level degree or higher (13.4% to 16.4%) in the four year period to 2006. However, although those with a third level degree or higher in County Clare has increased on the previous Census year, the figure still falls below the State average of 18.5% for 2006.

In the Mid-West region, of those whose full time education has ceased, 17.6% have only primary education or no formal education, just below that State average of 18%. 10.7% have third level non-degree qualifications, while 15.8% have third level degrees or higher. Of the towns in County Clare with a population in excess of 1500, 13.3% of the population of Ennis, 13% of the population of Shannon and 16.5% of the population of Sixmilebridge had primary education only including no formal education in 2006 (below the State average), while of those whose full time education has ceased, Kilrush, 23.8% and Newmarket-on-Fergus, 19.2% record figures higher than the State average. Of the five towns (populaiton 1500+), Sixmilebridge boasts the largest proportion of population with a third level non-degree qualification at 12.6% , followed by Ennis at almost 12%, Shannon 10.5%, Newmarket-on-Fergus 8.9% and Kilrush at 6.8%. Ennis records the highest proportion of the population with a third level degree or higher at 17.5%, followed by Sixmilebride at 14%, Shannon at 12.8%, Kilrush at 10% and Newmarket-on-Fergus at 9.8%. However, all five towns fall below the State average of 18.5% for 2006.

Of those persons in the Mid-West region with a third level qualification having completed 2 years or more of study, the highest number of graduates are found in the Social Sciences and Business, followed by Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction and the Health professions. Proportionately, of those persons with a third level qualification in the State, 7.6% of them are found in the Mid-West region with 2.3% of total graduates in County Clare where a similar trend indicates the highest number of graduates in the aforementioned fields of study.

In towns in County Clare, where the population exceeds 1500, the trend shows the higest number of persons with a third level qualification in Ennis, then Shannon, Kilrush, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus, proportionately reflecting the populations of these towns.

Those graduates with qualifications in Science, Mathematics and Statistics form just 5% of total graduates in Ireland with Clare falling slightly below the State average at 4.6%. Those with qualifications in Humanities and the Social Sciences in the State form almost 10% of the total figure with a similar figure of 9% of total persons with a 3rd level qualification in County Clare. The publication of the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006- 2013, aims to almost double the number of SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) PhD graduates and HSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) PhD graduates by 2013 and also aims to promote an ethos of world class research and development across across the spectrum of humanities, physical and social sciences. Total projections for postgraduate numbers in these fields are shown below.

Table 1.8 - Projections for postgraduate numbers, 2005 - 2013

Year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
SET PhD graduates	543	606	660	724	801	881	919	958	997
HSS Output PhD Graduates/ Postdocs	187	284	234	285	282	300	306	306	315

 

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has the task of advising Government on future skills requirements and associated labour market issues that impact on national potential for enterprise and employment growth. The publication of the report Tomorrow's Skills - Towards a National Skills Strategy (2007) proposes a vision of Ireland in 2020 in which a well-educated and highly skilled population contributes optimally to a competitive, innovation-driven, knowledge-based, participative and inclusive economy. The Group proposes that by 2020 (Figure 1.10): 48% of the labour force should have qualifications at NFQ Levels 6 to 10; 45% should have qualifications at NFQ levels 4 and 5; and the remaining 7% will have qualifications at NFQ levels 1 to 3 but should aspire to achieve skills at higher levels.

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Socio-economic Status

Socio-economic status (SES) is a term that generally describes the position of an individual group in a population or society, reflecting the overall hierarchy. The most frequently used indicators of SES are employment and occupational categories. Census 2006 provides data on the SES of the population, classifying individuals according to whether they are working, unemployed, looking for first regular job, employer, employee, assisting relative, students, working in the home or unable to work due to sickness or other disability.

Table 1.9 - Persons (m & f) aged 15 years and over at work and unemployed (excluding first time job seekers) in the State, Mid-West and key towns in Clare with a population of 1,500 or more, classified by employment status, 2006

Employment Status	Total at work and unemployed	Total at work	Employer or own account worker	Employee	Assisting relative	Unemployed having lost or given up previous job
Clare	54077	50607	9751	40688	168	3470
Limerick	87231	80525	12185	68097	243	6706
North Tipperary	31352	29355	6136	23080	139	1997
Mid-West	172660	160487	28072	131865	550	12173
State	2080126	1930042	308221	1616304	5517	150084
Ennis	12544	11497	1398	10075	24	1047
Shannon	4961	4592	362	4225	5	369
Kilrush	1128	999	152	843	4	129
Sixmilebridge	882	828	83	745	0	54
Newmarket- on-Fergus	797	740	52	685	3	57

 

According to the Census figures for 2006, 57% of the total population of the State were at work while 4% were categorised as unemployed. Of the total population of County Clare (110,950), 50,607 (45.6%) were classified as at work while 3.12% were classed as unemployed, below the State average. 0.15% of the population of Clare was classed as assisting a relative. This compares favourably with average figures for the Mid-West region which shows that in 2006, 44.4% of the population was classified as at work, with 3.37% categorised as unemployed and 0.15% assisting a relative.

Table 1.10 Persons, males and females aged 15 years and over classified by principal economic status, 2006

Area	Total	Looking for first regular job	Student	Looking after home/ family	Retired	Unable to work due to permanent sickness/disability	Other
Clare	86977	698	7887	10202	10522	3257	334
Limerick	148112	1335	18632	16631	16201	7312	770
North	51921	381	4758	6563	6470	2267	130
Mid-West	287010	2414	31277	33396	33193	12836	1234
Ennis	19135	271	1462	1858	2077	828	95
Shannon	7319	61	655	726	601	292	23
Kilrush	2192	26	148	282	418	185	5
Sixmilebridge	1268	8	112	133	72	60	1
Newmarket-on-Fergus	1267	4	129	126	151	56	4

For those towns in County Clare with a population in excess of 1500, Ennis records 52.1% of the population as at work, with 4.7% as unemployed and 0.1% assisting a relative. Similar figures are available for Shannon with 53.6% of the population at work, 4.3% unemployed and 0.1% assisting a relative. For the smaller towns, Kilrush records a total of 37% at work with 4.8% unemployed, Sixmilebridege stands at 62.3% at work with 4% unemployed and Newmarket-on-Fergus records 49.4% at work with 3.8% unemployed.

The statistics indicate that of those persons aged 15 and over classified by principal economic status, 0.8% of total persons in County Clare are looking for their first regular job, while 9% are students, 11.7% are looking after home/family, 3.74% are disabled or coping with a permanent sickness and 12% are retired. This compares to the average for the Mid-West which currently stands at 0.84% looking for their first regular job, 10.9% are students, while 11.6% are looking after home and family, 11.5% are retired and 4.5% are unable to work due to permanent disability or illness.

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County of Residence and Place of Work

Table 1.12 - Commuters entering and leaving County Clare 2006

County	Number of Commuters from Clare to:	Number of Commuters into Clare from:
Carlow	0	0
Cavan	0	0
Clare	23548	23548
Cork	65	148
Donegal	0	7
Dublin	150	36
Galway	574	388
Kerry	7	47
Kildare	0	0
Kilkenny	0	6
Laois	7	8
Leitrim	0	0
Limerick	5688	4155
Longford	0	0
Louth	0	0
Mayo	7	8
Meath	6	0
Monaghan	0	0
Offaly	0	23
Roscommon	0	23
Sligo	14	7
Tipperary	124	418
Waterford	9	14
Westmeath	7	0
Wexford	6	9
Wicklow	0	0

Table 1.12 clearly indicates that the majority of commuters leaving County Clare are working in Limerick, while the greatest number of commuters into County Clare are also coming from Limerick. The total leaving County Clare to work is 6,664 and the total coming into the county to work from other destinations is 5,297 leaving a net commute figure of -1,367.

Location and Size of Enterprises in County Clare

The Kompass business database contains a range of information covering Irish commercial, industrial and financial companies and provides valuable information on key themes such as type of industry, type of company, location of company, company size and number of employees. Table 1.13 indicates that the majority of companies in County Clare fall under the 0-9 employee category. However, the greatest proportion of employees in the county works in companies with an employee range of between 10-49. The next highest proportion of employees works in companies with an employee range of between 101-250 employees.

Table 1.13 - Locations and Size of Enterprise in County Clare by DED

5 digit code	DED	CO 0-9	EM 0-9	CO 10-49	EM 10-49	CO 50-100	EM 50-100	CO 101-250	EM 101-250	CO 251-500	EM 251-500	CO 501+	EM 501+
16001	Ennis No 1U	371	969	126	2407	13	1040	7	1078	4	1185
16002	Ennis No 2U				0
16003	Ennis No 3U				0
16004	Ennis No 4U				0
16005	Kilrush U.D	71	130	19	428	3	175	1	120
16006	Abbey	5	9		0
16007	Carran	1	0	1	14
16008	Castletown				0
16009	Derreen				0
16010	Drumcreehy	12	20	5	93	2	120
16011	Gleninagh	2	0		0
16012	Lisdoonvarna	13	21	7	155	1	75
16013	Mountelva				0
10614	Noughaval				0
16015	Oughtmama			1	16
16016	Rathborney				0
16017	Ballyeighter				0
10618	Bosten	7	6	6	124
16019	Corrofin	9	19	1	12
16020	Glenroe				0
16021	Killinaboy				0
16022	Kiltoraght				0
16023	Muckanagh				0
16024	Rath				0
16025	Ruan				0
16026	Clareabbey	18	40	6	96	2	100	1	235
16027	Clenagh	91	261	98	1948	26	1878	15	2454	6	2476	2	1350
16028	Crusheen	3	12	1	10
16029	Doora	13	22		0
16030	Drumline	27	49	5	66	3	235	1	110	1	300
16031	Dysert				0
16032	Ennis Rural	5	2	3	51			2	320
16033	Furroor	3	2		0
16034	Kilcloher	2	1		0
16035	Killanniv	3	5		0
16036	Killone	3	11	1	12
16037	Kilnamona	1	0	2	28
16038	Kilraghtis	6	5	2	28
16039	Kinturk				0
16040	Newmarket	6	10	1	15	1	100
16041	Sixmilebridge	15	23	4	58
16042	Spancelhill				0
16043	Templemaley				0
16044	Tomfinlough				0
16045	Urlan	18	31	3	106	1	90	2	380
16046	Annagh				0
16047	Ballag				0
16048	Ballyea			1	12
16049	Ballysteen	2	2		0
16050	Ballyvaskin	1	1		0
16051	Cloghaun	1	2		0
16052	Cloonanah				0
16053	Clooney				0
16054	Ennistymon	61	135	12	264	2	100	1	140
16055	Formoyle				0
16056	Kilfenora	9	20	1	20
16057	Killaspuglonane	1	2		0
16058	Killilagh	22	37	3	33
16059	Kilshanny	1	2		0
16060	Liscannor	10	13	3	52
16061	Lurragha	1	0		0
16062	Magherareagh				0
16063	Miltown Malbay	29	60	5	78
16064	Moy	3	3		0
16065	Smithstown				0
16066	Ballynacally				0
16067	Clondagad	1	3		0
16068	Coolmeen	1	5		0
16069	Kilchreest	2	6		0
16070	Kilfiddane	1	2		0
16071	Killadysert	8	20		0
16072	Killofin				0
16073	Kilmurry				0
16074	Liscasey				0
16075	Lisheen				0
16076	Rinealon				0
16077	Cahermurphy				0
16078	Cloonadrum				0
16079	Clooncoorha			1	10
16080	Cooraclare				0
16081	Creegh			1	18			1	150
16082	Doonbeg			2	57	1	55
16083	Drumelihy				0
16084	Einagh				0
16085	Glenmore				0
16086	Kilballyowen				0
16087	Kilferagh				0
16088	Kilkee			2	47
16089	Killard				0
16090	Killimer				0
16091	Kilmihil			2	46	1	80
16092	Kilmurry Ibrickane				0
16093	Kilrush Rural				0
16094	Knock				0
16095	Knocknaboley				0
16096	Knocknagore				0
16097	Moveen				0
16098	Moyarta				0
16099	Mullagh				0
16100	Querinn				0
16101	Rohona				0
16102	St. Martin’s				0
16103	Tullig				0
16104	Tullycreen				0
16105	Ballycannan				0
16106	Ballyglass			5	111	3	210
16107	Cappavilla				0
16108	Castlecrine				0
16109	Clogher			1
16110	Cloontra			15
16111	Cratloe			0	1	50
16112	Fahymore				0
16113	Killeely				0
16114	Killokennedy				0
16115	Kilseily				0
16116	Kilteananlea			1	30
16117	Lackareagh				0
16118	Mountrivers			3	34
16119	O’Briensbridge			1	12
16120	Ayle				0
16121	Boherglass				0
16122	Caherhurley				0
16123	Cahermurphy CE			1	45
16124	Cappaghabaun				0
16125	Carrowbaun				0
16126	Cloonusker			1	10
16127	Coolreagh				0
16128	Corlea				0
16129	Derrynagittagh				0
16130	Drummaan			2	35
16131	Feakle				0
16132	Iniscealtra N				0
16133	Iniscealtra S				0
16134	Killaloe				0
16135	Mountshannon				0
16136	Ogonnelloe			1	10
16137	Scarriff			11	239			1	150
16138	Ballyblood				0
16139	Ballynahinch				0
16140	Caher				0
16141	Clooney				0
16142	Dangan				0
16143	Glebdree				0
16144	Kilkishen			5	111
16145	Killanena				0
16146	Killuran				0			1	226
16147	Kiltannon				0
16148	Kyle			1	15
16149	Loughea				0
16150	Newgrove				0
16151	Quin			2	70
16152	Rathclooney				0
16153	Rossroe				0
16154	Toberbreeda				0
16155	Tulla				0	1	70

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Table 1.14 - FDI Projects and Investments in Ireland 2003-2007

County ID	County	FDI Projects per capita 03-07 RANKED	FDI Investment per capita 03-07 (€m) RANKED	Number employed by FDI per capita 03-07 RANKED	County Total Projects as % Country Total RANKED	County Total Investments as % Country Total RANKED	County Total Jobs Created as % of Country Total
1	Carlow	21	22	18	21	21	20
2	Cavan	22	11	16	22	13	18
3	Clare	4	4	6	7	5	6
4	Cork	6	2	7	2	2	2
5	Donegal	13	14	12	8	11	9
6	Dublin	1	7	3	1	1	1
7	Galway	9	18	11	3	17	5
8	Kerry	17	19	23	14	19	21
9	Kildare	8	1	10	5	3	7
10	Kilkenny	20	16	24	20	15	24
11	Laois	25	23	25	25	23	25
12	Leitrim	15	24	20	23	24	23
13	Limerick	10	12	17	6	9	15
14	Longford	7	10	1	18	14	12
15	Louth	2	13	2	4	12	3
16	Mayo	19	3	21	17	4	19
17	Meath	23	25	19	19	25	17
18	Monaghan	26	26	26	26	26	26
19	Offaly	24	21	22	24	22	22
20	Roscommon	12	5	4	15	10	11
21	Sligo	3	15	5	11	16	10
22	Tipperary	14	9	9	12	6	4
23	Waterford	11	6	13	10	8	14
24	Westmeath	5	17	8	9	18	8
25	Wexford	16	20	15	13	20	16
26	Wicklow	18	8	14	16	7	13

Ireland's unprecedented levels of economic growth in recent decades have been attributed, in large part, to foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from the United States. Ireland has continually nurtured the climate for investment and through its investment promotion arm (IDA), has aggressively sought investment projects. Direct investment plays a unique role in the Irish economy, accounting for a larger part of its manufacturing output, employment and exports than in most other OECD countries. Stocks (positions) of direct investment abroad reached €93,619m at the end of 2006, continuing to approach the level of inward investment (€118,901m). Most of the total outward position is accounted for by European countries (€68,944m), partly made up of: UK (€24,269m), Netherlands (€7,039m) and European Offshore Centres (€5,547m). At the end of 2006, stocks of direct investment into Ireland stood at €118,901m, compared with €138,620m at the end of 2005. As with the outward position, the majority of the total year-end inward position was attributable to EU countries, mainly: Luxembourg (€32,457m), Netherlands (€26,601m) and UK (€16,366m).

The table above shows FDI Projects, Investments and Jobs created as a result in each county in Ireland from 2003-2007. Table 1.15 subsequently ranks each of the 26 counties accordingly, and shows that Clare is positioned 4th highest in the country for both FDI Projects and FDI Investments in that period and ranks 6th in terms of numbers employed by FDI per capita.

Table 1.15 - Ranking of FDI Investment and Projects by County in Ireland

County ID	County	FDI Projects per capita 03-07 RANKED	FDI Investment per capita 03-07 (€m) RANKED	Number employed by FDI per capita 03-07 RANKED	County Total Projects as % Country Total RANKED	County Total Investments as % Country Total RANKED	County Total Jobs Created as % of Country Total
1	Carlow	21	22	18	21	21	20
2	Cavan	22	11	16	22	13	18
3	Clare	4	4	6	7	5	6
4	Cork	6	2	7	2	2	2
5	Donegal	13	14	12	8	11	9
6	Dublin	1	7	3	1	1	1
7	Galway	9	18	11	3	17	5
8	Kerry	17	19	23	14	19	21
9	Kildare	8	1	10	5	3	7
10	Kilkenny	20	16	24	20	15	24
11	Laois	25	23	25	25	23	25
12	Leitrim	15	24	20	23	24	23
13	Limerick	10	12	17	6	9	15
14	Longford	7	10	1	18	14	12
15	Louth	2	13	2	4	12	3
16	Mayo	19	3	21	17	4	19
17	Meath	23	25	19	19	25	17
18	Monaghan	26	26	26	26	26	26
19	Offaly	24	21	22	24	22	22
20	Roscommon	12	5	4	15	10	11
21	Sligo	3	15	5	11	16	10
22	Tipperary	14	9	9	12	6	4
23	Waterford	11	6	13	10	8	14
24	Westmeath	5	17	8	9	18	8
25	Wexford	16	20	15	13	20	16
26	Wicklow	18	8	14	16	7	13

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Census of Industrial Production 2005

Table 1.16 - Industrial Local Units 2005

Code	Type	Clare	Limerick	Tipp NR	Mid-West
1	Number of Local Units	161	205	83	449
2	Supervisors and Operatives - male	3678	7753	2613	14044
3	Supervisors and Operatives - female	1020	3010	758	4788
4	Apprentices - male	156	133	13	302
5	Apprentices - female	25	26	3	54
6	Apprentices - Total	4879	10922	3387	19188
7	Clerical staff - male	635	740	177	1552
8	Clerical staff - female	534	846	269	1649
9	Admin and Technical Staff - males	929	2095	427	3451
10	Admin and Technical Staff - female	494	736	123	1253
11	Admin and Technical Staff - Total	2592	4417	996	8005
12	Total Employees	7471	15339	4383	27193
13	male	5398	10721	3230	19349
14	female	2073	4618	1153	7844
15	Proprietors/Unpaid	56	85	36	177
16	Total Persons	7527	15424	4419	27320
17	male	5441	10782	3251	19474
18	female	2086	4624	1168	7896
19	Outside piece workers	29	36	5	70
20	Gross Output	2024942	13679952	859810	16564704
21	Materials for processing	60857	8444191	422326	9475034
22	In services	68851	618762	110378	797991
23	Fuel and Power	29714	149739	28143	207597
24	Total	707082	9212692	560848	10480622
25	Net Output	1317860	4467260	298963	6084082
26	Industrial Workers	155926	300422	97919	554267
27	Other Employees	109374	251096	42551	403021
28	Outside piece workers	430	745	383	1558
29	Total	265730	552263	140853	958846

Table 1.16 examines the Census of Industrial Local Units (of the Census of Industrial Production) for 2005. This element of the Census contains 57 variables from Number of Local Units to Capital Assets and Derived Variables. In table 1.16, however, 29 of the key variables for 2005 are shown. The period from 2004-2005 indicates a reduction in the total number of industrial units in the Mid-West region from 470 in 2004 to 449 in 2005 with a concomitant reduction in the number of local units in County Clare from 168 to 161. However, the number of industrial workers (including supervisors, operatives and apprentices) has increased in the region from 18,860 in 2004 to 19,188 in 2005, yet in County Clare the number has decreased in the same period from 5,079 in 2004 to 4,879 in 2005.

Of the total employees (6+11) including both Industrial workers (Supervisors and Apprentices) and Other employees (Clerical and Administrative), the total for the region has increased from 26,556 in 2004 to 27,193 in 2005 with a slight decrease in County Clare from 7,589 in 2004 to 7,471 in 2005. Gross industrial output for the region has increased in the same time frame from €14,870,515 in 2004 to €16,564,704 in 2005 with a concomitant increase in County Clare from €1,892,466 to €2,024,942 between 2004-2005. Total industrial input for the region has increased from €9,167,742 to €10,480,622 with figures for County Clare increasing from €580,414 in 2004 to €707,082 in 2005. Wages and salaries have also increased in the region from €906,829 in 2004 to €958,846 with a proportionate increase in Clare from €257,448 in 2004 to €265,730 in 2005.

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Summary of Key Trends

• In County Clare, the statistics indicate a population increase of 7.4% from 2002 to 2006. At UD and RD levels the most noticeable population changes occur in the Meelick and Tulla Rural Areas which display population increases of 11.2% and 14.9% respectively.
• Approximately 32.6% of the population of County Clare lives in centres of 1,500 or more with the remaining 67.4% living outside centres of 1,500+, indicating a high level of rurality. This trend is also evident in the Western region where 68.3% of the population lives outside of centres with a population of 1,500 or greater.
• There is a high population density of 100+ persons per square kilometre around the urban district of Ennis with a density of between 50-100 (p/sq km) in the immediate periphery of the town. The majority of DEDs in County Clare indicates a relatively low population density.
• The greatest proportion of persons in County Clare occurs in the working age category of between 16-62 with peaks around the 20-30 age group in both Clare and some key towns in Clare of population in excess of 1,500.
• Those with a third level non-degree in County Clare (11.1%) exceed the State average of 10.6% while those with a third level degree or higher (16.4%) fall below the State average (18.5%).
• 45.6% of the population in Clare was classified as at work in 2006 while 3.12% was classified as unemployed. For towns with a population in excess of 1,500, Ennis records 52.1% of the population at work, with 53.6% working in Shannon. 4.7% of the population of Ennis was classed as unemployed, with 4.3% unemployed in Shannon.
• In the Mid-West region, the greatest proportion of workers are employed in the manufacturing industry (17%), followed by the wholesale and retail trade (12.7%) and then the construction industry (11%). In Clare, the greatest proportion of workers is also found in the manufacturing industry (14.6%), followed by 12% in the construction industry and 11.1% in the retail trade.
• The greatest proportion of commuters leaving Clare is working in County Limerick. Similarly, the highest proportion of commuters from outside destinations also come from County Limerick.
• The majority of companies in County Clare fall under the 0-9 employee category. The greatest proportion of employees in County Clare is employed in enterprise with an employee range of 10-49.
• County Clare ranks fourth in the country for both number of FDI Projects and amount of FDI investment (€) and ranks sixth in the country in terms of numbers employed by FDI per capita.
• The period 2004-2005 indicates a reduction in the total number of industrial units in the Mid-West region from 470 to 449 (Clare from 168-161). Gross industrial output for the region has increased in the region between 2004-2005 with an attendant increase in County Clare from €1,892,466 to €2,024,942.