Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2023
23. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress in the implementation of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan; the potential future funding for the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44197/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBalanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy for me and this Government, and is reaffirmed in the Department’s White Paper on Enterprise.
My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans.
The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan covers Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath and was launched in Mullingar on 1 March last year.
Each Plan is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior level private sector businessperson.
I attended the last meeting of the Midlands Steering Committee on 12 May in Portlaoise. At the meeting an update was provided on each strategic objective and associated actions. I believe good progress is being made in delivering on the objectives of the Plan. The next meeting of this Steering Committee is scheduled for 24 November in Tullamore and which I hope to attend.
My Department has secured up to €145 million in funding to assist in delivering on the objectives set out in the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and support projects aligned to those Plans. This funding builds on the €126 million my Department has already allocated in regional enterprise funding.
Earlier this week I announced the first call amounting to €35 million under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme (SREIS). The overall objective of this Scheme is to drive job creation and enterprise development; it provides an opportunity for regional stakeholders to unlock potential from the bottom up through collaboration and will have a major impact in all regions of the country.
The Scheme is now open for applications on Enterprise Ireland’s website and will close on 31 March 2024. I expect that there will be up to four calls under this fund over the coming years. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Chair of the Midlands REP, Anne Cusack, the programme manager, Sarah Morgan, and all on the steering committee whose passion and dedication for the region is evident in the ambitions plans outlined in the Midlands REP. I look forward to seeing innovative enterprise focused projects coming from the Midlands for this funding.
Finally, the Department is holding nine ‘Building Better Business’ conferences around the country throughout 2023. These focus on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation and the transition to a low-carbon economy, as well as showcasing the government and agency supports available to small and medium enterprises. Regional Enterprise Plan Chairs also have the opportunity to address attendees about the progress being made in the implementation of their Plans.
The Midlands conference took place on 27 April in Portlaoise. The most recent conference was held on 22 September in Dundalk and focused on the North-East region. The next event will focus on the West region and takes place tomorrow in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
I believe these conferences demonstrate the firm commitment of this Government to balanced regional enterprise development for all regions of Ireland, including the Midlands.
