Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

87. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of progress on the development of a business cluster (details supplied) at Shannon Airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50055/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has long recognised the major contribution that the aviation sector plays in Ireland’s economy. The sector provides skilled, quality jobs around the country. In addition, as an island nation it is essential for our tourism industry and trading relationships to connect Ireland with the rest of the world.

The aircraft manufacturing industry is increasingly moving towards tiered manufacture and larger entities are capturing market share. It is a competitive industry, and the best way for Ireland to win business is for companies to pool resources and create entities that will enable members to bid for contracts that are not possible on an individual basis. This is the model that Emerald Aero Cluster has adopted.

The Emerald Aero Cluster was approved for funding under the first call of Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund. The Cluster is comprised of 14 indigenous manufacturing companies and is working to develop Ireland – and the Mid-West region in particular – as a hub for excellence in global aerospace manufacturing.

The Cluster has made good progress to-date having succeeded in winning numerous high value contracts for its members and attended international trade shows. The cluster has recruited a number of specialist consultants in the key territories of France, Germany, UK, and USA to target key industry opportunities across a number of key segments of the industry.

I look forward to seeing the further progress this cluster of innovative companies make in the future.