NUTS 3 statistical regions of the Republic of Ireland

There are eight regions at NUTS III level in Ireland. The NUTS regions for Ireland were agreed between Eurostat and the Government of Ireland, in line with the minimum and maximum population thresholds set out by Eurostat for the size of NUTS regions. The geographical remit of each region is defined by combining the areas under the jurisdiction of LAU-1 units of local government — the counties and cities of Ireland. Prior to 2014, each region was governed by an associated Regional 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.

North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council were unified into a single local authority for the county on 1 June, 2014. The current NUTS classification was released in 2013, and remains in place until the end of 2016, therefore Tipperary remains divided for statistical purposes in two different NUTS 3 regions until the next amendment to the classification is released in 2017, which will take into account the changes to the Local Administrative Units of each member state.

Prior to 2014, 8 regional assemblies existed in Ireland. The Statutory Instrument of 2014 abolished these assemblies. Their assets were transferred to three newly established Assemblies. These three assemblies do not correspond to the NUTS 2 regions. The NUTS regions are used for statistical reporting to Eurostat, while the Regional Assemblies are responsible for planning at a local government level. In addition, there are currently 34 Local Authority Units (LAU’s) under NUTS Level 4. Therefore while the three Regional Assemblies together govern the NUTS regions at all levels, the NUTS regions do not correspond to the Regional Assemblies.

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