Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2014
12. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the timelines and targets in relation to rolling out his Department’s regional enterprise strategy for the midlands region in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48116/14]
View answerThe Government recognises the need to place a greater emphasis on supporting enterprise growth and job creation at regional level. Employment has increased in all regions - and nationally by 80,000 - since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012.
Employment in the Midlands region increased by 8,000 since the start of 2012 and the unemployment rate for the Midlands region has decreased from 18.7% to 14.5%.
The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs contained a number of commitments to support competitive regions, including, within my own Department, developing a framework for new Regional Enterprise Strategies. This framework will provide a model for co-ordinated action across public bodies and other stakeholders to support enterprise development and jobs growth, based on the strengths and assets of each region.
Consultation with regional stakeholders is an essential part of developing the Regional Enterprise Strategies. Over the past number of months, officials from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and my Department have been involved in a series of engagements with stakeholder groups in the Midlands to discuss the strengths and opportunities that can be built upon to support enterprise and jobs growth. This consultation process will continue with a Regional Enterprise Forum in Athlone on the 19th December.
Following on from this consultation process, I expect to publish the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands in early 2015. The Strategy will include specific actions and targets on the part of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, and other public bodies active in the region, to promote enterprise growth and job creation. The Regional Enterprise Strategies will need to be dynamic and flexible and capable of capturing any new ideas or opportunities that emerge over their life span.
Similar strategies for the other regions will be developed over the course of next year, on a phased basis.
