Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to the development of asset inventories and matrices for towns across the country as a support and marketing tool to encourage inward investment into regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17307/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2014 Government Action Plan for Jobs recognises that Regions that support strong and dynamic enterprises are crucial to Ireland’s return to overall economic growth. The Action Plan includes a number of measures to be taken in 2014 to support competitive regions.

One of the mechanisms by which we will support enterprise development at regional level in 2014 is by building new property capacity in regional locations to help cater for FDI projects. In 2014, IDA Ireland will commence building new advanced manufacturing facilities in Waterford and Athlone, and office space in Letterkenny.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Local Authorities will develop integrated local economic and community plans, to promote economic and community development in each local authority area.

The Action Plan also 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. My intention is that the framework will be developed on a pilot basis initially, focusing on the Midlands region, and involving the agencies under the remit of my own Department – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards (soon to become Local Enterprise Offices). The objective is to enhance synergies between the agencies and their client companies and build on the competitive strengths of the region to maximise the potential for job creation in both indigenous and foreign owned companies. The role which other public bodies in the region can play in working towards this objective will also be examined as the project develops.

The aim is that this framework will serve as a model for other regions of the country.