Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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92. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with the local business community and stakeholders in Drogheda to discuss their significant concerns on employment and trade within the town of Drogheda, the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/24]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will organise urgent meetings with officials within his Department to formulate a dedicated plan to provide employment in Drogheda, with consideration of the very significant number of workers commuting from the town daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 108 together.

My Department, through our enterprise development agencies, plays a significant role in fostering economic growth in County Louth and Drogheda and provides a range of services to local enterprises. My Department also oversees implementation of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs) including for the North-East which covers counties Cavan, Louth and Monaghan. The REPs are driven by regional stakeholders and focus on undertaking collaborative projects that help strengthen the regional enterprise ecosystem. A Mid-Term Progress Report was published recently on my department’s website which provides updates on implementation across each strategic objective.

IDA Ireland is committed to the pursuit of balanced, compact regional development and is targeting half of all investments from 2021-2024 to regional locations.

As part of its current strategy, IDA’s Regional Property Programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Office clients.

County Louth has 36 IDA client companies, employing 3,674 people. The FDI performance in the wider region has been consistent over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 14%. Counties in the region also benefit hugely from the direct and indirect employment generated by IDA client companies located in Dublin.

Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) activities include offering financial support and grant aid to high-potential companies that demonstrate the capacity for rapid growth and entry into export markets. This support is crucial for stimulating job creation and economic development in the regions. In 2023, EI made payments of €2 million to client companies based in County Louth, and an additional €630,000 in payments towards infrastructural investments in entrepreneurship and innovation. 504 jobs were created in 2023 by 130 EI assisted client companies, with a total figure of 6,744 EI supported jobs in the county. Employment growth for the year amounted to 3%, ahead of the national average growth rate of 2% among EI clients.

Enterprise Ireland works closely with the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Louth. LEO Louth’s suite of business supports is available to all businesses and entrepreneurs in the county, including the Drogheda area. LEO Louth held information events during 2023 to provide information to businesses in Drogheda on the range of government supports available to them to sustain, develop and grow their businesses. In 2023, LEO supported 212 client companies in Louth, creating 26 new jobs. The Northeast Region saw a 5% increase in jobs created, with 551 client companies supported, creating 168 new jobs.

The Drogheda Digital Hub has received grant support under the Border Enterprise Development Fund. This is targeted to encourage high-potential future-oriented tech projects to locate in the greater Drogheda area. The project will provide affordable co-working space in Drogheda town centre complemented with tailored management and mentoring support to facilitate their growth and export potential.

The collaboration between enterprise agencies and local entities ensures a cohesive approach to enterprise development, making County Louth an attractive location for both established companies and emerging entrepreneurs and is a testament to the government's commitment to regional development and the support of indigenous businesses as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of international trade.