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The Mid-East Region (coded IE022) is a NUTS Level III statistical region of Ireland. It consists of the territory of the counties of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. The Mid-East Region spans 6,063 km2, 8.7% of the total area of the state (roughly 7% of the Island) and according to the 2006 census had a population of 475,360.
Contents
Prior to 2014, the region was governed by the Mid-East Regional Assembly. Statutory instrument No. 573/2014 abolished that assembly. Since that date, the association between Regional Assemblies and NUTS regions has ceased. The NUTS regions are used for statistical reporting to Eurostat, while the Regional Assemblies are responsible for planning at a local government level.
The Mid-East has experienced continuous population growth since 1961. This growth is primarily influenced by the regions close proximity to the Dublin Region. The region has large urban areas and contains almost 20 towns with a population of over 5,000. But the region mostly has a rural landscape and the total area of viable agricultural land in the Mid-East is 69%. The manufacturing industry employs a significant number of people in the region and it is the location of high tech industries in areas such as Leixlip and Bray.
The region contains notable tourist attractions such as Trim Castle, Kildare Cathedral, Brú na Bóinne and Glendalough. Prominent geographical features include the River Liffey, the Wicklow Mountains and the Curragh of Kildare which is a major centre of stud farming.
Former Regional Authority
The Mid-East Region was administered by the Mid-East Regional Authority, which consisted of 21 elected representatives including the region's representative on the EU Committee of the Regions. These representatives met once a month and were nominated from the regions three administrative councils:
The Regional Authorities were dissolved in 2014 and were replaced by Regional Assemblies.
Economy
According to Eurostat figures for 2012, the region has GDP of €13,316 bn and a GDP per capita of €24,700. Figures released in February 2017, suggest that the unemployment rate in the region was 5.3% during 2016 - the lowest among other regions of the country.
Major settlements
A list of the ten largest settlements in the mid-east. County capitals are included and are shown in bold.