Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
240. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of an application from Carlow County Council for an enterprise campus in Carlow town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/24]
View answerBalanced regional development is a priority for this Government. Since 2017, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has approved over €134m in funding for 79 enterprise focused projects through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Border Enterprise Development Fund.
The Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme (REISS) supports the development of potential innovative regional projects aligned with the objectives of the nine new Regional Enterprise Plans. The REISS offers feasibility and priming grants to help create a strong pipeline of projects for future funding calls; 49 projects were approved REISS funding of €3.5m in 2022.
Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG secured €72,422 in funding through the REISS. This funding was earmarked for the formulation of a business plan and design master plan for the enterprise campus situated on O'Brien Road, Carlow.
I have been advised by Enterprise Ireland that these plans were finalised in late 2023, and active engagement has commenced with Enterprise Ireland’s Southeast Regional team to compile a comprehensive application for consideration under the €145m Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme (SREIS), which is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and opened for applications last October.
The overall objective of the SREIS is to drive innovation, job creation and enterprise development in each region throughout Ireland by delivering key enterprise ecosystem supports.
Applicants to the SREIS are required to submit a comprehensive business and funding plan, which will undergo thorough review and assessment by Enterprise Ireland. Carlow Community Enterprise Centre is expected to submit a formal application in the coming months following successful completion of the REISS Priming funded activity.
