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

Supporting enterprise development in all regions of the country in order to support job creation is a key objective of the Government. All regions have experienced jobs growth, as the Minister of State, Deputy English, has said, but the rate of progress in some regions is less than in others. That is why the Government is placing an increased emphasis on supporting job creation in the regions this year.

In February, the Government announced details of the Action Plan for Jobs: Regional Initiative, which seeks to capitalise on the strengths and assets of each region to maximise enterprise growth and job creation. The initiative will build on the success of the national Action Plan for Jobs, and encourage regional stakeholders, including enterprise agencies, local authorities, higher education institutions, other public bodies and the private sector, to come forward with innovative ideas to boost job creation in their own region.

In total, eight regional action plans will be developed and published this year. My objective is that six plans, including those for the midlands and west regions, will be launched by the end of July, with the remaining two in development. In each of the regions the regional manager of either Enterprise Ireland or the IDA is acting as co-ordinator and has formed an action group among public bodies in the region. Stakeholder workshops involving public and private sector groups have been held in Athlone and Galway, which I have attended. Their task was to identify new opportunities and to develop actions which can be implemented collaboratively within the next 18 months to deliver growth in enterprises and jobs. A formal monitoring committee with private sector involvement will be formed to oversee the implementation of the plans.

The regional action plans will be supported by investment of up to €250 million over the next five years, including €150 million for a property investment programme by IDA Ireland, and up to €100 million for three separate competitive calls which will be administered through Enterprise Ireland. These competitive calls will support collaborative initiatives to boost enterprise growth and job creation in the regions. Details of those competitive calls will be announced shortly.

As part of its property programme, the IDA has committed to investing in new property solutions in Castlebar, Galway and Athlone, amongst other centres, over the next three years. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have also placed an increased emphasis on the regions in their new corporate strategies. It is the roll-out of those strategies that will inform regional enterprise plans.

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