The achievement of balanced regional growth continues to be a core objective of Government. Promoting entrepreneurship and facilitating the key infrastructural needs of Irish enterprise across all regions is vital to ensuring a vigorous pipeline of new business leaders, new business ideas and entre-preneurial activity.
Enterprise Ireland activity in Co. Kerry is focussed on the creation of new jobs through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new High Potential Start-Up Companies, on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies through support of company development plans, and in enhancing the innovation capability of Ireland at a national and regional level through support of research in companies and third level institutions.
In 2011, there were 3,602 people employed in 124 Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Kerry, with 117 of these jobs created during that year. The financial support provided by Enterprise Ireland to its client companies in Co. Kerry totalled almost €2.6m in 2011. Additionally, Enterprise Ireland has provided funding of over €2.2m, as well as other supports, for the development of incubation facilities at the Institute of Technology, Tralee.The Tom Crean Business Centrealso provides incubation space for Enterprise Ireland clients in the start-up phase of their business. Enterprise Ireland co-funded the support of a Development Manager for the Centre for two years. The agency is also supporting the Institute of Technology and the Tom Crean Centre in the delivery of the “New Frontiers” Programme which is due to commence in May 2012 in Tralee, with up to 12 High Potential Start Up businesses. This programme will run over a six-month period and provides structured business development modules and mentored guidance to assist the participants to develop their business ideas and business plans which may be eligible for further Enterprise Ireland or other financial/soft supports.
Enterprise Ireland has also approved funding totalling more than €1.7m towards the construction and development of several Community Enterprise Centres in Co. Kerry over the past number of years, including Killarney Technology Innovation Centre, Iveragh Coop Farmers Mart Society Ltd., and Kenmare Mart Enterprise Coop Society Ltd.
I am confident that the initiatives being pursued by Enterprise Ireland will continue to support employment opportunities Co. Kerry.