Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

White Paper on Enterprise Policy: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Mr. David Hegarty:

I think it is. It attempts to strike a balance between the need to support the technology sector, which is important for the economy, while recognising the very real constraints on our electricity grid and infrastructure at the moment. Over time, hopefully, these will be alleviated. On how this is being rolled out, that is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, and EirGrid. We are working closely with them and engaging with some of the larger technology firms to try to get across an appreciation for what the data policy centre statement states and pursue that balanced approach over the next couple of years while the constraints are very real.

Turning to the Deputy’s question on the role of the capacity of local enterprise offices, LEOs, in the management development area, would Ms Hynes like to comment on that?