Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Economic success at regional level depends on all relevant Departments, agencies, and regional and local authorities collectively making strategic choices and working together with community and private sector interests to activate the key strengths of each region. In 2013, there was employment growth shown in all regions.

The Action Plan for Jobs includes a commitment to develop a framework for a regional enterprise strategy to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprises. The aim is to build on the competitive strengths of the regions and the matters the Deputy referred to in his question, including language strengths, can be addressed. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially in the midlands region, focusing, in particular, on co-ordinating the efforts of the agencies under the remit of my own Department. These include Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the new local enterprise offices, or LEOs.

The overarching objective of the framework is to enhance synergies between the agencies, their client companies and other key stakeholders to maximise the potential for job creation in the region. The pilot framework will identify the key assets and competitive strengths of the midlands region and look at opportunities for sectoral development. My Department’s officials are currently developing the regional enterprise strategy framework in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Forfás. I expect significant progress to be made by the end of this month. My aim is that the pilot framework for the midlands will serve as a model for other regions.

In addition to the regional enterprise strategy framework, the Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of other measures to be taken in 2014 to support competitive regions. For example, each local enterprise office shall publish its enterprise plan and the IDA will commence building new advanced manufacturing facilities in Waterford and Athlone and office space in Letterkenny to help cater for FDI projects. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will develop integrated plans to promote economic and community development in each local authority area. LEOs are implementing a competition to find Ireland's best young entrepreneur at county and national level. In addition, many actions under the entrepreneurship pillar of the Action Plan for Jobs, such as Enterprise Ireland's competitive regional feasibility funds, will support enterprise development and job growth at regional level.

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