Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2015
68. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the person with overall responsibility for managing the regional Action Plan for Jobs when it commences shortly in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7381/15]
View answerLast week, the Government announced details of a comprehensive new strategy to support enterprise growth and job creation at regional level through Action Plans for Jobs-Regional. This initiative seeks to build on the success of the annual Action Plan for Jobs process by developing locally driven plans that can build on the strengths and opportunities identified in each region.
Eight Regional Action Plans will be published, commencing with the Midlands region. This Plan is currently being finalised following a series of engagements with key stakeholders in the Midlands. It will include a series of actions for delivery by the enterprise development agencies (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices), Local Authorities, other public sector bodies, and the private sector to support enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
As is the case with the national Action Plan process, the cumulative effect of these measures will make a real and lasting impact on improving the business environment in the region. The Regional Action Plans will be flexible and dynamic to allow additional actions and ideas to be added as they emerge. In this context, it is important that the Plans and their implementation are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.
Precise details for monitoring the implementation of the actions will be set out in the Regional Action Plan for the Midlands when it is published. My objective is to ensure that these processes complement any arrangements that might be put in place for the monitoring of the regional Spatial and Economic Strategies to be developed by the new Regional Assemblies under the terms of the Local Government Reform Act, 2014.
