Upon taking office as Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I made it clear that one of my main priorities was to focus on balanced regional enterprise development.
The contribution hubs play, whether enterprise hubs, community hubs or GAA clubs and community centres which provide remote working desks, cannot be underestimated. These facilities provide services which support the enterprise ecosystem and importantly they also allow people to live and work in their local communities.
My Department has already provided significant investment to support enterprise centres and hubs through a number of exchequer funds including the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, Border Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. The Local Authorities have played their part in supporting many of those projects as project partners or by contributing to the matched funding requirement. The Deputy will be aware of projects funded in the North-East region such as the Cavan Digital Hub, M:Tek in Monaghan and the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board which have secured funding.
Enterprise hubs play a vital role in supporting the enterprise ecosystem not just in the urban centres but in many rural locations too; they provide accommodation and facilities, as well as offering supports to entrepreneurs, start-ups, microenterprises and SMEs.
My Department will continue to support innovative projects including enterprise centres and hubs.
In addition to the funding already provided, together with Ministers Coveney and Richmond we recently announced that my Department has secured €145 million in funding for the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. This Scheme will support projects aligned to the Regional Enterprise Plans, including development of new enterprise hubs and centres and expansion of existing facilities.
The first call of €35 million is now open and there will be further calls in the coming years. Full information is available on Enterprise Ireland’s website.
