Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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4. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will report on the development of a framework for a regional enterprise strategy; if the strategy will take into account the differing characteristics and needs of a regions, language needs for example; when it is envisaged that the strategy will be finalised in recognition of its value for sustainable regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/14]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The question relates to the development of a framework for a regional development strategy and asks when the strategy will be finalised given its value for sustainable regional development.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. There are a number of aspects to this matter, one of which involves the IDA and the development of one region, as the Minister said. SMEs are also very important and the backbone of the rural economy. The Office of Government Procurement is involved in promoting what is available for SMEs in terms of public procurement not only here, but across the EU. There is approximately €2.4 trillion worth of EU tendering available. Does the Minister's Department liaise with the Office of Government Procurement on that? Will the planned socio-economic committees under local authorities be involved with the Leader elements of the rural development programme to progress regional development?

In the context of working with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I note that broadband was an issue that came up continually during the recent canvassing and it was raised in regard to both businesses and households.

10 o’clock

It was outlined in the recent CEDRA report chaired by Pat Spillane. Will there be liaison with that Department as well?

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Our agencies support companies in accessing public procurement tenders. Both EI and InterTradeIreland have good programmes to support companies in preparing themselves to bid for public procurement contracts either at home or abroad. It is on supporting the enterprise side that we operate.

The idea behind developing a regional enterprise strategy is to make sure that there is knowledge across all the stakeholders who can help build a competitive advantage in a region using the thinking of the IDA, EI and LEOs and identify a sector's strengths and what we are hoping to build on. The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will be rolled out under Leader companies. We do not seek to usurp to work they do but we need to have clear vision among all stakeholders about where the opportunities are and how we will develop them because that will given an opportunity to others to provide support. Clearly, the education sector in many regions plays a huge part. If it can build networks to support a particular sectoral project in a region where we are building to its strengths, that could immensely enhance the work of IDA and EI in delivering its sectoral ambitions. That is the type of collaboration we are seeking to develop.