Gabrielle McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Government’s new regional enterprise strategy will be rolled out to the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46680/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the Action Plan for Jobs is to help enterprises to create employment in all regions of the country. If we are to do this successfully, it is important that the economic potential of each region is maximised and that each region builds on its particular strengths and assets to provide an environment that stimulates entrepreneurship and attracts both indigenous and foreign investment. While employment has increased nationally by approximately 80,000 since the start of the Action Plan process in 2012, not all regions are yet fully experiencing the benefits of economic recovery. The pace of progress in the regions therefore needs to be accelerated through targeted supports for enterprise and job creation.

The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs includes a number of commitments to support competitive regions, including, within my own Department, developing a framework for Regional Enterprise Strategies. It is my intention that this framework will be applied to produce action-oriented plans to support enterprise growth and jobs in the regions, commencing with the Midlands. Consultation with regional stakeholders from both the private and public sector will underpin the Enterprise Strategies.

Over the past number of months, officials from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and my Department have been involved in a series of engagements with stakeholder groups in the Midlands region, which included representatives from the enterprise sector, skills and education providers, and public bodies operating in the region.

The consultation process will continue with a Midlands Regional Enterprise Forum on the 19th December in Athlone, which will bring all the main stakeholder groups together to discuss the strengths and opportunities that can be built upon to support enterprise and jobs growth in the region. The consultation process will inform the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands which I aim to publish early in the New Year.