Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to create digital hubs to help SMEs modernise in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [37534/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As part of the proposed multi-billion Digital Europe Programme (DEP), the European Commission and EU Member States will establish and fund a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs). In the recent Budget, €3 million was allocated to support Ireland’s participation in this network in 2021. These hubs will support digital transformation in SMEs and public sector organisations by encouraging the adoption of the latest advances in the three key DEP technologies of Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing. EDIHs will serve as “one-stop-shops” providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services, and the training and skills development necessary for successful digital transformation.

My Department, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, intends to hold an expression of interest process for interested organisations, with the intention that at least two such EDIHs with a cross-regional reach can be supported in Ireland.

There are a broad range of other digital/enterprise/community hubs currently operating across the country, both publicly and privately funded, including social enterprises. My Department has invested in the development of digital hubs in every region through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and the recent Border Fund. Under the REDF, administered by Enterprise Ireland, approximately €1.4m approved funding for digital hubs has been approved for the Cavan and Monaghan regions while under the Border Fund, also administered by Enterprise Ireland, €202k in funding has been approved for the National Data Platform digital hub in Monaghan.