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Job Creation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Questions (21)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

21. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans under the midlands regional jobs plan for job creation in County Laois to reduce unemployment figures on the live register and the number of daily commuters out of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4453/21]

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Written answers

Delivering balanced regional growth through a coherent policy approach to the enterprise needs of every part of Ireland is a stated objective within the Programme for Government.

My Department’s Regional Enterprise Plans are focused on region-specific enterprise development challenges and opportunities and provide a mechanism for joined up responses at the regional level, involving the enterprise agencies, LEOs, local authorities, higher and further education bodies, private sector, and others.

The Regional Enterprise Plan for the Midlands which includes Co. Laois sets out a strategic agenda around: driving opportunities in advanced manufacturing, the food and drink sector, big data/data analytics, and the low carbon economy; place-making initiatives - including the development of a regional network of remote working hubs; and responding to enterprise skills needs in the region. Having just concluded its 2-year programme at the end of 2020, my intention is for the Plan in the Midlands and in the other regions to be refreshed over coming months, in consultation with regional stakeholders, including in County Laois.

My Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, is aimed at enhancing the conditions for regional business growth. To date the Midlands have secured over €7.5 million across six projects, including for enterprise hub/co-working developments.

Enterprise Ireland’s Strategy ‘Powering the Regions’ includes a focus on the Midlands. In 2019, 12,343 people were employed in Enterprise Ireland supported companies in the Midlands.

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in the Midlands supported an additional 335 net new jobs in start-ups and micro companies in 2019 with 70 net new jobs in Co. Laois.

The IDA is doing everything it can to encourage investors to locate in regional areas including the Midlands region. In 2019, the Midlands had 43 IDA supported companies employing 6,209 people. This is an increase of 8.5% from 2018. In 2020 Greenfield Global an IDA company announced the creation 75 new jobs in Co. Laois.

Working with colleagues across Government to deliver the National Planning Framework, my Department is committed to delivering balanced regional growth and to ensuring that Co. Laois continues to enjoy a steady increase in employment.

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