Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there will be a focus on the development of added-value processing in the marine industry in the regional enterprise strategy specifically for County Donegal in the Border region, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7307/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Last week, the Government announced details of a comprehensive new strategy to support enterprise growth and job creation at regional level. The Action Plan for Jobs - Regional initiative seeks to build on the success of the national Action Plan for Jobs by developing locally-driven plans that build on the strengths and opportunities identified in each region.

My Department will work with the regions in identifying these regional strengths, assets and areas of competitive advantage, as well as identifying initiatives to support businesses to start-up, expand, and export. An Action Plan will then be developed to help achieve the region’s objectives.

In examining regional strengths, we will be focussing on sectors which offer potential for future growth. In this regard, I am aware of the significance of the Marine Industry to Donegal and we will explore opportunities to develop the potential of this sector in consultation with regional stakeholders.

In addition, implementation of the Government’s integrated marine plan for Ireland, “Harnessing our Ocean Wealth", which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will continue to be a key component in the wider development of the marine sector.