Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2014
14. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the stakeholders who have been involved in the consultative process to date for the regional enterprise strategy for the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/14]
View answerAs I have outlined previously, the new Regional Enterprise Strategies which my Department is leading on will be underpinned by consultation with the key stakeholders in each region. These stakeholders include public sector bodies, business people, industry representatives, educational institutions and other parties who have a role to play in the economic development of the regions.
Over the past number of months, officials from my Department, along with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have been involved in a series of engagements with stakeholder groups in the Midlands region.
“Brainstorming” sessions have been held with three groups of stakeholders to identify initial areas of opportunity for enterprise growth and job creation. These consultations involved:
- a Public Agencies group,
- an Industry group, and
- a Skills/HR group.
The Public Sector Group included representatives from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the Regional Assembly, Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities and Athlone Institute of Technology.
A number of key IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland client companies operating in the region were invited to participate on the Industry Group.
The Skills/HR Group comprised representatives from a number of IDA and EI client companies, Athlone Institute of Technology, the National University of Ireland Maynooth, and the Education and Training Boards from within the region.
My Department and the enterprise agencies also attended an event organised by the Midlands Gateway Chamber in Glasson, Athlone, on 20th November.
The consultation process will continue with a Midlands Regional Enterprise Forum in Athlone on the 19th December, which will bring together a wider range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Retail Sector, LEO clients, community-based enterprises, Commercial State Bodies and Fáilte Ireland, to discuss the strengths and opportunities that can be built upon to support enterprise and jobs growth in the region. Members of the Oireachtas representing the Midlands region have also been invited to the event.
The consultation process will inform the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands which will be published early in the New Year.
