Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2015
99. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on marketing or training for local enterprise offices to assist them in promoting areas included in the regional aid area, to encourage businesses to the area, and ensure all are aware of the available grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6366/15]
View answerThe new European Union Regional Aid Guidelines 2014-2020 enable the State to grant State Aid, at enhanced rates, to businesses in order to support new investment and new employment in productive projects in Ireland's most disadvantaged regions. This helps the convergence of these regions with the more advantaged regions of the Union. Regional aid is also provided under schemes for tourism grants, marine tourism, urban and rural renewal and other tax-based development schemes. All such aid comes from the Exchequer rather than from EU or other external funding. The LEOs in the Counties covered by the Regional Aid Programme are fully apprised of the Guidelines. All LEOs provide a signposting and referral service for their clients to supports available from other State Agencies and this would encompass information on the Regional Aid Schemes operated by Agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, etc.
