Seán Kyne
Question:30. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the co-operation between his Department, its agencies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. [37991/15]
View answerWednesday, 4 November 2015
Questions (30)
Written answers
A Memorandum of Understanding exists since 2009 between Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta in relation to areas of cooperation and coordination between the two Agencies. This was updated in 2013 to enable Údarás na Gaeltachta to optimise the resources available to its client companies through supports and programmes administered by Enterprise Ireland, with very specific criteria. A designated Manager in both Enterprise Ireland and Údarás operate as a single point of contact and this liaison arrangement drives the cooperation and coordination on operational and policy matters. Enterprise Ireland continues to support Údarás and cooperate on a number of policy areas including State Aid. Enterprise Ireland is currently developing a protocol with Údarás on behalf of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The aim of this protocol is to ensure that no entrepreneur or existing business is discriminated against in relation to Government supports. Údarás and the LEOs have a good working relationship at local level and this protocol will build on that relationship and ensure that Údarás clients have access to the extensive expertise of the LEOs through their training and mentoring programmes.
IDA Ireland has regular interaction with Údarás na Gaeltachta on relevant multinational client engagement and the marketing of the Údarás property portfolio.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have been working together (and will continue to work together) on the West Regional Action Plan for Jobs which is currently being finalised.