Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
79. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide specific funding to support the recently published South East Regional Enterprise Plan given the historic funding deficit in the region and the national policy to support balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18796/22]
View answerRegional enterprise development and sustainable local job creation is a key policy priority of mine and this Government.
On 24 March 2022, I launched the Regional Enterprise Plan for the South East Region in County Wexford, one of nine Regional Enterprise Plans. A key feature and strength of the Regional Enterprise Plans is that they are developed using a ‘bottom-up’ approach, developed by regional stakeholders who are keenly aware of the growth opportunities and vulnerabilities in their region.
I have been determined to ensure that funding is available to support these Plans. I can advise the Deputy that up to €180m is being made available for the nine regional plans to develop and implement collaborative and innovative enterprise projects – projects that will not just sustain but add to employment at county, regional and national level.
€6 million has been set aside in 2022 and a further €6 million over the following years to assist those projects which have been delayed and incurred increased costs in the delivery of their originally approved projects. Enterprise Ireland are in the process of contacting eligible projects regarding this fund.
To create a strong pipeline of projects for future funding calls, Enterprise Ireland has also announced a new competitive ‘priming’ and ‘feasibility’ scheme fund of up to €5 million. This Scheme is now open for applications and details can be accessed on Enterprise Ireland’s website.
Substantial funding will also be made available up to 2027 for regional enterprise projects under funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Shared Island fund.
This funding is necessary for the development of collaborative regional projects that will drive delivery of the objectives developed in each of the Regional Plans.
The South-East region secured over €7.5 million for eight innovative enterprise focused projects under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. The region is full of potential and is very well positioned to compete for the new funding schemes.
I strongly encourage all stakeholders to take advantage of this to develop quality projects for the South East region.
