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

There are a couple of questions in this space, so the answers are pretty similar. I know the Deputy has already had a discussion with the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, but I will try to add to that. Delivering balanced regional growth and job creation is a core objective of this Government and the Deputy is aware that it is something we are committed to. We want to try to help as best we possibly can. It is a key component in the recently published White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030, which sets out enterprise policy and high-end thinking for the next five or six years out to 2030 and beyond.

The White Paper emphasises the role my Department and its agencies continue to play in achieving this objective through direct assistance to businesses as well as promotion and enhancement of the regional enterprise ecosystem to encourage businesses to invest and create jobs. For example, it includes a target of unemployment not exceeding one percentage point of the national unemployment rate in any region.

Enterprise Ireland has a continued focus on supporting enterprise in all regions to adapt to a challenging market environment, and on maximising job retention and creation. Enterprise Ireland's strategy has set targets of creating 45,000 new jobs by 2024 and that over two thirds of new jobs will be created outside Dublin.

Regional development is at the centre of IDA Ireland's strategy. IDA Ireland is also committed to more balanced compact regional development and will target half of all its investments from 2021 to 2024 to regional locations. The results out this week will show success in achieving that regional balance, albeit not into every town and village that you would ask, but there is regional balance. Local enterprise offices are a key part of achieving what we all want to achieve. At the heart of this is development and entrepreneurship in our towns and communities throughout the country. The LEOs will continue to enhance their advisory services with locally trading firms to improve productivity particularly around digitisation and reducing energy and carbon emissions, as well as supports. The key strategy by which we can make progress is on the regional enterprise plans. We are now into their third iteration. Deputy Naughten is involved with counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. Thankfully there are nine regional plans in place. They are locally driven by local entrepreneurs involved with the State agencies locally across all the education, social protection, Enterprise Ireland, EI, LEOs, local authorities and so on. They are in charge of bringing forward their own plans. Money has been secured to drive those ideas and concepts such as hubs or other situations also in the sum of €145 million to drive that agenda. I am happy to work with Deputy Naughten on some initiatives, as the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, also said to bring forward job opportunities in his town.

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