Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
294. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail his Department's direct involvement in the Green Way/An tSlí Glas project; his plans to support the Green Way project in the coming year; and if he will provide an update in the project's success to date in creating a Cleantech cluster in north Dublin and the surrounding region. [56637/12]
View answerThe Green Way is a Cleantech cluster established by industry, academic institutions and public/semi-state players in the Dublin region. Its vision is to create jobs and unlock trade opportunities for companies through the activation and development of an internationally recognised Cleantech cluster.
The partners in the Green Way include Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, Dublin City University, Dublin Institute of Technology, the Dublin Airport Authority, North Dublin Chamber and Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.
My Department is supportive of the initiative in the context of its potential to develop employment in the Green Economy. There is also potential for the Cleantech cluster model to be replicated in other areas of the country. Last July, I announced a new €2 million pilot Clustering Programme designed to promote cooperation between businesses and create more jobs across several sectors, including Cleantech. The Programme is a joint agency initiative involving Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Forfás.
My Department is facilitating the development by Dublin City University of a site in Glasnevin into an internationally-recognised "Innovation Campus", involving a partnership of education and research institutions, enterprise and the Semi-State sector, with a particular focus on research-active Cleantech firms. The campus will be an important element within The Green Way and it is envisaged that it will support high value employment in indigenous and multinational companies focussed on eco-innovation.
Enterprise Ireland also supports the Cleantech sector - including the different bodies associated with the Green Way project - in a number of ways, including through participation in public procurement initiatives through its Public Procurement Division.
