Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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671. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to provide jobs in a town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16037/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West region aims to support the creation of 28,000 jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth by 2020.  There has been strong progress to date, with 5,600 more people at work across the region since the Regional Action Plan initiative was launched at the start of 2015.

The Local Authorities, LEOs, and other key public and private sector stakeholders in Monaghan are key drivers of the North East/North West Regional Action Plan.

As part of the national Action Plan for Jobs 2017, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has committed to support the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and provide Regional Competitive Funding of up to €60m over the period to 2020 to drive balanced regional enterprise development. Applications for funding will be invited through a public call for submission of projects and I would urge private and public organisations from County Monaghan to apply. The initiative will be announced in the National Press over the coming weeks.

Enterprise Ireland supported clients currently represent 5,168 jobs in 180 companies in County Monaghan. Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with enterprise players and client companies in the Border Region to foster job creation. Enterprise Ireland has recently launched a new SME Brexit scorecard to help businesses assess areas of potential risk and opportunity arising from Brexit and to develop a plan of action in response.

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business in County Monaghan (one of 31 LEOs nationwide). During 2016, LEO client companies in County Monaghan created 129 net new jobs and LEO Monaghan will continue to provide a range of supports for the micro and small business sector in 2017 and beyond. 

Further information on the services available from the LEOs can be accessed at www.localenterprise.ie.

I should also draw your attention to the ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool

which is a cross-governmental initiative to help start-ups navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible.