Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of regional aid that has been allocated to counties Laois and Offaly in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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On March 22nd, the European Commission approved a Regional Aid Map for Ireland for the period 2022-2027. The Regional Aid Map identifies the areas where Regional Aid can be granted. Regional Aid is a form of state aid provided to enterprises to encourage investment and job creation in areas of relative economic disadvantage. Granting authorities in Ireland, in particular Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, are now in a position to grant Regional Aid to eligible enterprises under the new Map, which will apply up to December 2027.

It is important to note that Regional Aid is not the only form of aid available to Irish enterprises. Only approximately 7.4% of Ireland’s State Aid is in the form of Regional Aid. For example, irrespective of their location, enterprises may still avail of Research, Development and Innovation Aid, Environmental Aid, Training Aid and Consultancy Aid, under the General Block Exemption Regulation. Aid, for small amounts in terms of financial assistance, is also available under the De Minimis Regulation.

The Regional Aid Map is only applicable to Regional Aid or to any other aid that makes a specific reference to assisted areas designated by the Regional Aid Map.

A total of €7,939,343 was granted in Regional Aid by the Agencies of my Department, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to enterprises in County Laois for the period 2016 – 2021, while a total of €1,899,625 was granted to enterprises in County Offaly for the same period. In comparison, the overall aid granted to enterprises in County Laois was €14,303,139 for the period 2016 – 2021, while €12,626,884 was granted to enterprises in County Offaly for the same period.

A full breakdown of payments by enterprise agency for Counties Laois and Offaly can be found in the table below.

Regional Aid Payments 2016 - 2021

Enterprise Ireland

IDA Ireland

Overall Payments 2016 - 2021

Enterprise Ireland

IDA Ireland