Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

78. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the midlands regional enterprise plan launched in March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62112/22]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy priority of mine and this Government.

In pursuit of this, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) launched nine new Regional Enterprise Plans earlier this year.

A key feature and strength of the Regional Enterprise Plans is that they are developed using a ‘bottom-up’ approach, developed by regional stakeholders who are keenly aware of the growth opportunities and vulnerabilities in their region, and of the benefits of working collaboratively. Each Regional Enterprise Plan is overseen and monitored by a Steering Committee made up of regional stakeholders and chaired by a senior level private sector businessperson.

The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan covers Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly and was launched in Mullingar on the 1st of March. The Plan contains three strategic objectives (and related actions) to be delivered by end 2024.

They are:

- Climate Action – transition to a climate neutral economy.

- Capitalising on strengths of the Midlands through Smart Specialisation and Digitalisation

- Positioning the Midlands as the destination of choice to live, work, visit, invest and learn

The Midlands Steering Committee is chaired by Dr Anne Cusack. The Steering Committee members include representation from the Local Authorities, the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Regional Assemblies, Higher Education bodies and others, all of whom are focused on creating and sustaining employment opportunities for the region.

Since publication and launch, the Steering Committee and Working Groups have been meeting to drive implementation of the actions.

Indeed, I attended the last meeting of the Steering Committee on the 25 November in County Longford. At that meeting I was very impressed with the progress that has been made to date and am of the view that excellent work is being done in delivering the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that DETE has secured up to €145m in regional enterprise funding over the coming years from the European Regional Development Fund to drive implementation of the Regional Enterprise Plans. I am keen to get this funding out to the regions as soon as possible and I have asked my officials to work with Enterprise Ireland on launching the first call of funding under the ERDF early next year. Due to the excellent work of the Midlands Regional Steering Committee, I strongly believe that the region is well-placed to benefit from this funding.