Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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675. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if applications for funds (details supplied) will be available to private entities; the criteria for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16268/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2017, my Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has committed to support the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and provide investment of up to €60m over the period to 2020.

A Regional Competitive Funding Initiative administered by Enterprise Ireland will be launched shortly.  The overarching aim is to drive balanced regional enterprise development throughout the country.

The funding will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development and to build the USP capabilities that can sustain and add to employment at a county, regional and national level.

Eligible applicants will be not for profit entities that comprise national/regional, county and local stakeholders, with a purpose of benefitting the wider needs of the community and region/nation.

Such entities can be led by private or public organisations and may also include Higher Education Institutes, Semi State Commercial bodies or Local Enterprise Development Groups.

My plan over the coming months and years is to work in support of organisations that come forward with good projects to boost enterprise and job creation in their regions.

Applications for funding will be invited through a public call for submission of projects. This will be announced in the National Press over the coming weeks.