Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, and myself hope to launch regional enterprise plans during February. Part of that will be funding a range of actions in different counties along the concept outlined by the Deputy. I think we are launching one in Cavan. That gives an opportunity through the funding set out, which is quite substantial, over the next four or five years to fund those three-year plans. Actions are being put forward that would achieve what we want to achieve. I agree that in some of our counties it is not viable to build some of these commercial units based on the rent base that could be achieved for them. There is a similar difficulty with housing in some parts of the country. That is why the State stepped in to close that gap through a range of schemes. It is a similar approach. Working with local authorities we can achieve an outcome and delivery of property solutions for jobs. There are some cases where a developer will not allow it if they cannot get their rent. Why would they? Likewise, we have to bring forward actions. I draw the Deputy's attention to the regional development feasibility fund, which is worthwhile in encouraging any private sector companies that have an interest in developing a remote working hub or office space to look at that first to bring forward a project that we can then find funding for.

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