Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base, to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAchieving balanced regional enterprise development, as reflected in the White Paper on Enterprise, remains a priority for this Government.
I am very aware of the contribution made by enterprise hubs and remote working spaces across the country; these facilities provide services to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and they also allow people to live and work in their local communities. Government has invested significantly in the development of such facilities.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has invested over €150 million in development of remote working facilities through programmes such as Connected Hubs, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities, with many vacant and derelict buildings converted into remote working hubs.
My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy, in consultation with hub managers, communities, local authorities and other stakeholders; both Departments continue to engage with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on the strategy, which is expected to be brought to Government this year.
Government has provided substantial funding to support enterprise centres and hubs across all regions of the country. This includes over €126 million in funding under my Department’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Border Enterprise Development Fund, which have provided both capital expenditure and programmatic supports for enterprise centres. Enterprise centres provide important infrastructure for entrepreneurs and SMEs and are an essential part of the enterprise ecosystem across the country.
The local authorities have supported many of those projects as project partners or through contributing to the match funding requirement. I expect that the local authorities will continue to support projects under my Department’s €145 million Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. The Scheme, which is currently open for applications on Enterprise Ireland’s website, includes a stream supporting physical infrastructure including development of new enterprise hubs and expansion of existing facilities, up to €10 million per project.
Local authorities have been integral in the development of hubs. While they are independent, Government will continue to work collaboratively with the local authorities to deliver innovative projects including enterprise centres and remote working hubs.
