Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on correspondence (details supplied) and proposals for start-up funding for the organisation in question. [7379/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am working closely with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that there is a strong focus on boosting regional growth potential to secure sustainable quality employment.  The eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs are now embedded across the country and are good examples of local authorities, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and businesses working together to tackle regional issues. To support the eight Regional Action Plans, and as part of the Government’s strategic response to Brexit, additional funding of up to €60m is being rolled out by EI over the next 4 years. The Regional Enterprise Development Fund, funded by my Department and administered by Enterprise Ireland, will support the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level. This Funding will strengthen the enterprise capability and economic development potential within the regions. Twenty-one successful applicants representing all regions of the country have secured up to €30.5m for their projects in the first competitive call.

Due to the high demand for the Fund, I will be announcing a second competitive call for proposals in March this year. This new call will be open to those that may have been unsuccessful under the first call and to new applicants.  Enterprise Ireland will work with all applicants that apply for funding under the second call for proposals.  Any organisation with a requirement for start-up funding should engage with Enterprise Ireland regarding any proposals that they might have for Loughrea.