Written answers

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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72. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which the terms of reference for the review of the Succeed in Ireland initiative were finalised; the status of the review to date; the financial obligations in regard to the Succeed in Ireland initiative that have arose as the termination of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31070/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As was announced previously, my Department will soon be commissioning an independent review of the Succeed-in-Ireland programme. That review, which will be carried out after details of the initiative’s full and final costs are available, will equip us with a thorough understanding of the programme’s results and its contribution to employment generation in the State. This is in the interests of good governance and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

On 20 April my Department launched a public consultation calling for observations on the draft terms of reference for that review. The consultation period ended on 26 May. I am pleased that the consultation process elicited 17 different submissions. The responses that we received came from a broad range of stakeholders, including public representatives and the general public.

The terms of reference have not yet been finalised. My Department is completing the examination of all the responses to the public consultation, a process which will help to shape the final text.

The IDA has paid €2.27m to Connect Ireland in respect of confirmed jobs to date. In addition and in accordance with the terms of the contract, a further advance payment of €1.54m was made in respect of potential future jobs that have not yet been created. This advance payment is refundable to the IDA by Connect Ireland in the event that these further potential jobs do not materialise.

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of community enterprise schemes in Dublin south west; the number there have been in the same area in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31098/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has run various community enterprise schemes, via Enterprise Ireland, since 1989. A number of projects in Dublin south west have been successful in receiving funding under these schemes.

Community Enterprise Centre Scheme

Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved by Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country. Supported by four CEC schemes (operated in 1989, 2000, 2006 and 2008) 157 centres have been approved for financial support.

In 2012 a €2m programme was launched for a Community Enterprise Centre Business Development Function/Manager by Enterprise Ireland.  46 business development managers were funded under this initiative.

Five Community Enterprise Centres from Dublin South West have benefitted from Enterprise Ireland under these various initiatives.

Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme

In 2015 Enterprise Ireland launched a €5 million Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme. This competitive scheme was open to new and existing organisations, groups and alliances, who collaboratively seek to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, foster innovation and enhance export opportunities for small business.  32 projects were funded to a level of €3 million under this initiative.

Five projects were funded from Dublin County, one of which is Action Community and Enterprise Limited, based in South West Dublin, and is a project focused on enhancing an effective enterprise ecosystem in Dublin West.

LEO Competitive Fund

In 2015 Enterprise Ireland also launched a competitive fund to foster collaboration across the national LEO network. 16 projects were funded under this initiative to a level of €2 million.

One collaborative project involving LEO Fingal, LEO Dublin City, LEO South Dublin, and LEO Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown received funding under this initiative. This project is targeted at the Dublin food producer cohort and focuses on the creation of an online video education platform to enhance knowledge, improve skill sets and develop producer competencies.

Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020

Launched in May 2017, this €60 million competitive fund will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region/across regions or nationally to build the unique USP capabilities to grow the regions. Funding will be awarded via a competitive process and the call for applications closes on August 18.

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