Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the potential savings that can be made through an all-island approach to economic development and job creation. [36823/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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It is of course the case that, in certain circumstances, there may be efficiencies and cost savings in pursuing certain aspects of an all-island approach to economic development and job creation. Tourism is perhaps a good example of a sector that can benefit from all-island scales of economy. The Government is therefore keen to advance opportunities for mutually beneficial cross-border cooperation in such areas.

In my own area, a key development has been the establishment of InterTradeIreland (ITI), one of the North/South Implementation Bodies, established under the Good Friday Agreement. This Agency is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland with a budget of approx. €10m and operates a range of innovative programmes.

In addition, close co-operation has been established in particular between Invest NI and Enterprise Ireland. An example of close wider agency cooperation is the Acumen Programme, a key all-island business development programme managed by InterTradeIreland and supported by Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI, FAS, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the County Enterprise Boards. My Department also provides funding support for Interreg projects, which are supported by the EU and Northern Ireland Executive.

We will continue to work diligently with our Northern Ireland counterparts and their agencies to increase the economic benefits accruing from cross-border co-operation, as well as through the work of the North South Bodies, and the North South Ministerial Trade and Business Development Council.