Thomas Gould
Question:63. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether he will offer support to the group currently working to renovate the butter exchange in Cork as an enterprise hub. [22065/23]
View answerThursday, 11 May 2023
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Written answers
My Department has invested in the development of enterprise hubs through the various regional enterprise funds which drive implementation of the nine Regional Enterprise Plans.
Approximately 40 Enterprise Centres and Hubs have been funded under these schemes and are at various stages of development. Enterprise Centres are primarily focused on providing spaces for start-ups, providing training, collaborative spaces, aiding innovation and supporting digitalisation.
I can advise the Deputy that Enterprise Ireland supported Recreate Shandon with a Feasibility Grant under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund with €14,850 approved to complete an initial feasibility of the Butter Exchange project in partnership with Cork City Council on the 16th July 2020.
Last year Enterprise Ireland approved a more in-depth feasibility study for this project under Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme with a grant approval of €46,800 again in partnership with Cork City Council. These amounts represented 50% of the actual cost supported by way of Feasibility Grants.
Enterprise Ireland has advised me that the project is currently working on finalising a detailed business plan which will form the basis of an application for funding of the overall project, under the European Regional Development Funded ‘Smart Regional Enterprise Innovation Scheme’, which is due to be open for applications shortly.