Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 17 July 2020, the status of the promised review by Enterprise Ireland of the regional enterprise development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35290/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), which is administered by Enterprise Ireland, was introduced to support the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at county, regional and national level.
Over the last three years, Enterprise Ireland has approved funding to 68 projects across all regions under three calls of the REDF. The implementation of these project plans covers a three to five year period.
As previously advised, following the conclusion of the first two Calls under the REDF, in March 2019, my officials and officials from Enterprise Ireland reviewed the format and process of the Scheme and this informed some technical changes to the subsequent Third Call in June 2019.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work with each of the 68 projects approved under the REDF to assist them to achieve their ambitions of delivering regionally impactful projects for the benefit of enterprises/industry sectors in their regions. Each of the funded projects are subject to ongoing monitoring against agreed metrics and KPIs by Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland formally reports to my Department on the progress of projects funded under the REDF through a National Oversight Group, comprising of officials from my Department and Enterprise Ireland. This Oversight Group meets on a quarterly basis and the next meeting is scheduled for later this month.
Enterprise Ireland has not yet undertaken a formal ex post review of the REDF, owing to the fact that as yet projects funded are currently in the various stages of implementation.
