Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the regional enterprise strategy for the west, which includes counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Galway, will be rolled out; if he has specific job creation targets for counties Roscommon, Leitrim and Galway respectively as part of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2974/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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While employment has increased nationally by approximately 80,000 since the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, not all regions are yet fully experiencing the benefits of economic recovery. The Unemployment Rate for the Midlands and South East regions, for example, stand at 14.5% and 13.7% respectively. This compares to the national average of 11.1% in the latest Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) published by the Central Statistics Office. The Unemployment Rate for the West in the QNHS, which relates to the third Quarter of 2014, was 11.4%.

The 2014 Action Plan for Jobs contained a number of commitments to support competitive regions, including the development a framework for Regional Enterprise Strategies. This framework, which has been developed by my Department, provides a model which will be used to produce action-oriented plans to maximise the jobs potential of each region through a coordinated approach across Government Departments and other public bodies.

I have previously indicated that the first two Regional Enterprise Strategies to be developed will cover the Midlands and the South East regions respectively. Following a consultation process in the Midlands, my officials are currently finalising the preparation of the Regional Enterprise Strategy for that particular region. Consultation with stakeholders on the Strategy for the South-East region will commence in February.

The order in which subsequent Regional Enterprise Strategies are to be developed has not yet been finalised, but the decision will be informed by factors such as regional unemployment levels. It is my intention that each plan is drafted and published by July of this year.

It is not intended that specific job creation targets will be set for each county in the Regional Enterprise Strategies, but, rather, that the Strategies will identify measures that can be taken to enable the region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs, building on its existing competitive strengths.

Last week, the Government set out its ambition to achieve full employment by 2018. Achieving this objective will be supported by each region realising its economic potential.