Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her policy in relation to balanced regional economic development with particular reference to the specific directions given to funded economic agencies in relation to balanced regional investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21305/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Regional Action Plan initiative is working to promote regional and rural job creation by bringing different stakeholders in each of the 8 regions together to identify innovative and practical actions, to be taken across a range of Departments and agencies, with clear timelines for delivery over the period 2015 – 2017.

The Plans are being monitored and driven in each region by Implementation Committees, comprising representatives from the Enterprise Sector, as well as the Local Authorities, Enterprise Agencies, and other public bodies in the region. Collaboration between the private and the public sector has been a core element in each plan’s development, and will be central to each plan’s delivery.

The First Progress Reports in respect of all 8 Regions were published in December 2016.  While at an early stage, the progress reports reflect the good work made to date in the implementation of all 8 Regional APJs and creating a supportive environment for jobs growth in the regions.  Based on current data, all regions are on target to meet or exceed the job targets to be delivered by 2020.

Employment has been growing continuously for the past 17 quarters and over the past year employment has grown in all regions.

The most recent figures from the CSO also show that 70% of all jobs created in the past year were created outside Dublin.

The enterprise agencies are making a significant contribution to employment in the regions. In 2016, 61% of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, and over half of those created by IDA supported companies, were outside Dublin.

Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for 2017-2020 aims to create a further 60,000 jobs, while sustaining existing ones, which will make an important contribution to jobs and economic growth across all regions of Ireland. IDA will continue to target a minimum increase in investment of 30% to 40% in each region outside Dublin to 2019.

I recently published the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) annual jobs survey results which highlights three consecutive years of local jobs growth throughout the country. In 2016 there was a net increase of 3,679 jobs and total direct employment among LEO client companies stood at 34,634.

In June 2016, I announced an initial allocation of €5m in competitive funding for 48 local and regional initiatives. My Department and Enterprise Ireland are finalising plans for a further regional funding initiative of up to €60m to support collaborative approaches to grow and sustain jobs across the regions.

Additional funding of €150m is being made available to the IDA to support its Regional Property Programme and drive job creation in the multi-national sector.