Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to provide a funding stream for a project (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [7222/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Local initiatives can play a central role in supporting entrepreneurship. This voluntary initiative is a prime example of how communities can work together to support business development and job creation. Last year, I announced details of the 5-year, €250 million Regional Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. Under the Regional Plan, Enterprise Ireland launched a competitive call, the Community Enterprise Initiatives Fund, with a budget of €5 million over two years, which focused on community-driven enterprise initiatives and how all the local players, public and private, can work together to maximise job creation. The Fund was open to organisations or groups of organisations with innovative ideas to create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, boost innovation or enhance exports. As this is a competitive fund, due to limited funding, it may not be possible to award aid to all eligible projects.

The results of the competitive Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme will be announced shortly.