Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Minister. Is he aware that a very impressive presentation was made to the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business by the Mallow development partnership, which presented innovative proposals for integrated development in a hub town setting? Will the Minister provide funding, even on a pilot basis, to see if such integrated strategic planning can grow enterprises in a town such as Mallow?

What particular extra resources or supports does the Minister's Department give to towns designated under the special plan as hub towns? The hub town representatives I have met are at a loss to know, other than the title of "hub town", to what the hub towns are entitled by the designation. What additional supports are available to a hub town which are not available to a town which does not have that designation?

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