Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
912. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to tackle commercial vacancy rates, particularly in the north west where they are the highest in the country. [22535/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting enterprise development in all regions of the country in order to support job creation is a key objective of the Government, with initiatives such as the Regional Action Plans for Jobs seeking to build on the capabilities and strengths of each region to maximise enterprise growth and job creation.
Since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, employment has increased by 135,800 across the economy as a whole and has exceeded the initial target set by the Government for 2016. Over 20,000 jobs have been created in the North East/North West Region since 2012.
The North East/North West Action Plan aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Louth by 2020. Key targets in service of this overall goal are to achieve an increase of at least 25% in the number of start-ups in the region; a 25% improvement in the survival rate of new businesses; an increase in the number of IDA investments in the region by 30-40% up to 2019; and an increase of 300 to 500 in the numbers of Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs in the North West.
Sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agrifood, manufacturing/engineering and tourism, including active promotion of the tourism potential of the Lakelands Region, which includes Cavan and Monaghan.
Areas targeted for future growth include digital payments, cleantech and creative services.
One of the expected outcomes of these targeted initiatives in the North East/North West will be a reduction in the commercial vacancy rates. Many Local Authorities provide specific incentives to encourage businesses to establish a presence in vacant commercial premises. Responsibility for Local Authorities comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Simon Coveney, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, so perhaps his Department would be in a position to provide further details.
