Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
47. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail how he intends to improve employment prospects for the area of mid-Louth, considering the high number of commuters in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44296/23]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Office in Louth contributes to several economic development projects within the county including Drogheda Digital Innovation Hub, which was approved €587,747 grant support under the Border Enterprise Development Fund to encourage high-potential future oriented tech projects seeking to start and grow and the M1 Corridor marketing initiative which promotes the region for investment and attracts employers to the entire county.
LEO Louth holds a seat on the board of the Ardee Community Development Company which manages the Ardee Business Park & Training Centre and continues to support Ardee Business Park to provide suitable services to businesses wishing to set-up or grow in the Mid-Louth area.
LEO Louth’s programmes are available to businesses and entrepreneurs in the county to help them grow and develop export potential.
Enterprise Ireland’s strategy, working with local stakeholders, encompasses initiatives aimed at promoting economic development and job creation in the region including:
• Supporting local startups and SMEs and facilitating business Incubation and acceleration
• Establishing research and innovation centres
• Promoting remote work
The FDI performance in the Mid-East Region has also been strong over the past five years and County Louth is home to 36 IDA client companies directly employing 4,485 people.
IDA has acquired two landbanks in Co Louth, situated in Drogheda and in Dundalk and they form part of its strategic plan to position Louth and the wider region to compete for FDI investment. IDA recently delivered an Advanced Office Solution on IDA’s Finnabair Business Park and an Advanced Business Solution building at IDA’s Mullaharlin Science & Technology Park in Dundalk. It also plans to commence the delivery of an Advanced Building Solution in Drogheda as part of the current strategy 2021-2024.
