Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a report on the Enterprise Ireland supports for jobs and business in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6716/22]
View answerMy Department together with Enterprise Ireland is committed to building on the South East’s regional strengths working with partners such as the Local Enterprise Offices, the South East BIC and New Frontiers Carlow IT, to deliver initiatives that assist entrepreneurship and foster a new generation of innovative and ambitious start-ups in Carlow and the South East.
In 2021, 3,500 people were employed across 66 Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Carlow and 524 jobs were created by Enterprise Ireland client companies, resulting in a net increase in employment of 274 jobs. This strong figure demonstrates the resilience of export led industry in Carlow in what was a challenging year.
Additionally in January 2022, Carlow LEO announced that 203 client companies in Carlow currently employ 1,015 people, an increase of 265 jobs in 2021 and a net gain of 47 jobs in the year.
In 2021, Enterprise Ireland paid €4.9 million to Enterprise Ireland client companies in County Carlow. These investments have helped companies in County Carlow to innovate, to invest in capital equipment, and to create new jobs in the county.
Under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund over €4 million has been approved to four projects in County Carlow namely, InsurTech Network Centre, Crystal Valley Tech, Incupharm and the National Design Innovation Hub. This will assist new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region and nationally.
A further €377,520 was approved for IT Carlow under the Regional Technology Clustering Fund to assist the development of an industry-led Engineering Cluster to expand capability and competitiveness in the South East of Ireland.
In response to Covid-19, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, funded the Enterprise Centres Scheme for both profit and not for profit Enterprise Centres. Two Enterprise Centres in Carlow (ERIC Centre and Carlow Enterprise House) were approved €128,478 under this scheme.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to work closely with clients in Carlow and every county to strengthen their growth plans as well as assisting companies on transformation initiatives such as green, climate change, digitisation and sustainability.
