Written answers

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Action Plan for Jobs

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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862. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if projects in counties Cavan and Monaghan will be funded under the community enterprise centre scheme in 2016, if a new competitive call will be launched under this scheme in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24062/16]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Last year, the Government 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 was a competitive fund, due to limited funding, it was not be possible to award aid to all eligible projects.

Enterprise Ireland announced, on 1 June, the applicants that were offered funding for their proposals under the Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme. Bailieborough Development Association Limited was successful in applying for funding for expanding the existing state of the art business facilities through the development and renovation of the Bailieborough Courthouse. This will result in the expansion of business activities, offering advice to business on funding opportunities, training programmes, business development, networking, etc.

I am determined to support the regions to help them to achieve their potential and ambition. In that regard, I would point out that Enterprise Ireland will issue a 2nd call under the Community Enterprise Initiative later this year. This new call will be open to those that may have been unsuccessful under the first call for proposals and also to new applicants. Enterprise Ireland will work with all applicants that apply for funding under the second call for proposals.

I will engage closely with Enterprise Ireland to continue to roll out a series of new competitive regional funding initiatives that deliver on the potential of local and regional strengths; and promote collaboration among the various public and private interests to create new enterprises and jobs.

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