Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if assurances will be given that his Departmental officials will engage in the setting up of the southeast economic forum similar to the western development commission. [53880/22]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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It is an objective of this Government to bring development, job creation and investment to all regions of the country, including the South East.

In this regard, following in-depth consultation among key stakeholders within the region, the South East Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 (REP) was launched earlier this year. The Plan contains a set of objectives and related actions to be delivered by end 2024 that seek to support and develop the enterprise ecosystem in the South East and are complementary to existing Government initiatives.

Furthermore, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), regional enterprise development funding has been made available to assist locally-led innovative projects in the South East. In total, the region has secured €8.7m in approved funding for eight projects under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and Regional Enterprise Scoping Scheme (RETS) and for eight projects under the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme (REISS).

Separately, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) act as a ‘first stop shop’ providing information and advice to businesses within their locality, as well as bespoke enterprise development programmes to encourage a strong enterprise ecosystem. The LEOs work in partnership with the Local Authorities and other stakeholders within the region, to not only contribute to enterprise development but also to the economic development within the region.

Examples of the LEOs positive engagement in the South East region can be seen through various initiatives, including in LEO Carlow, who are leading on the development of a Regional Advanced Exporting Centre which will focus on advanced technical export services for scaling enterprises in the South East Region; and LEO Kilkenny’s involvement with the Ireland Southeast Financial Services Cluster, which is an enterprise led cluster initiative arising from Regional Enterprise Plan, directed by Ireland Southeast Development Office, supported and funded by the local authorities of Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, and Kilkenny.

With regard to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), there are 79 IDA Ireland client companies in the South East region, employing 14,932 people. The FDI performance in the region has been strong over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 25%. The IDA’s Regional Development Strategy is supported by a dedicated South East Regional Development team based in Waterford. The team engages with a wide range of stakeholders to help strengthen the region’s offerings to win new FDI. This includes influencing, developing, and enhancing solutions such as key reference sellers, property solutions, utilities, skills, infrastructure, accessibility, place-making etc. to better influence potential new investors. The IDA partner with a wide range of influencers and stakeholders in this regard on a continual basis both at a regional and national level.

I believe that through the South East REP, Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices, and the work of IDA Ireland, we are well-placed to deliver the development, investment and job creation that the South-East deserves.

In relation to the Deputy’s suggestion regarding the setting up of a South East economic forum similar to the Western Development Commission, I addressed this issue during the meeting of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the 5th October. That is, that I think the jury is out on whether having a regional body of that nature is hugely successful. Notwithstanding this, however, as I said at Committee, I would be interested in objectively assessing whether the region requires any additional targeted interventions. In that regard I have directed my officials to examine this further.