Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 18 and 23 together.

In June, the European Commission announced 151 regions, including Ireland’s three NUTS 2 regions, as designated regional innovation valleys, RIVs. I commend the regions and the respective assemblies on the hard work that was put in to successfully attaining this designation. The RIVs commit to enhance the co-ordination and direction of their research and innovation investment and policies. They also commit to collaborating on interregional innovation projects linked to key EU priorities such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels; global food security; digital transformation; improving healthcare; and achieving circularity. The designation follows an expression of interest call by the European Commission, which recognises their potential as hubs of innovation and economic growth within this cross-European network. The initiative has potential to unlock new European funding and international collaboration opportunities for the regions, so that innovation can be supported. The designation is in line with commitments in our White Paper on enterprise.

The European Commission will support RIVs through matchmaking events and targeted communication. Matchmaking aims to connect stakeholders with complementary strengths and objectives, including SMEs, researchers and public institutions, as well as matching projects with funding, expertise and potential investors. This seeks to drive joint innovation projects aimed at bolstering the overall productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of regional enterprise. With an overall commitment of up to €170 million for the RIV initiative, the first beneficiaries across 72 regions are to receive €116 million from the European innovation ecosystems work programme under Horizon Europe and the interregional innovation investments instrument under the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. Further competitive calls are anticipated in the future.

In line with the ongoing implementation of Ireland’s smart specialisation strategy, our Department will continue to work closely with the three regional assemblies and the enterprise agencies to pursue future EU funding streams, which will emerge as part of this initiative. As the Minister will testify, the midlands in particular is in a very good place, through its midlands regional enterprise plan, to maximise the opportunities. The chair and director of that plan are fully attuned to the opportunities that are there.

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