Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
153. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of Enterprise Ireland funding totalling €1,759,226 allocated to Clare County Council in 2018 for the development of the Clare Maritime Economic Zone project for Cahercon, Kildysert; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/22]
View answerRegional enterprise development and sustainable job creation is a key policy priority of mine and the Government and is a core element of the National Development Plan.
My Department plays a very strong part in implementing that policy goal through a variety of policy initiatives and investments in the regions.
Through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, the Border Enterprise Development Fund and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme, my Department through Enterprise Ireland, has approved over €126m in funding for 79 regionally impactful projects for the benefit of enterprises/industry sectors across the regions.
Clare County Council were approved funding of €1,759,226 under Call 2 of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund in 2018 to support the development of a Maritime Enterprise Zone. The proposed project was initially on an identified site in Cahercon, Kildysert, Co. Clare.
I have been advised by Enterprise Ireland that subsequent to the grant approval and detailed examination of this site by the promoters, it was established that the renovation costs necessary to develop the planned facilities would be multiples of the originally forecasted costs. These increased costs meant the project was no longer viable as envisaged in Cahercon. As a result the promoters sought alternative options for the delivery of this project.
I can advise the Deputy that the promoters have currently identified a site in Kilrush to locate the planned training activities, while the marine research facility option will primarily remain in Cahercon, which has a jetty on the site. The promoters have plans to deliver this solution in 2022 and are putting in place a strategy to secure the additional funding necessary to underpin the project, with potential additional funding provided by Clare County Council and a possible further application to be made to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
Enterprise Ireland have advised that they are continuing to work with the promoters to ensure the delivery of this project.
