Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base and also community groups to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30117/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Balanced regional enterprise development is a priority for me and this Government. I am keenly aware of the contribution that various hubs play around the country - from community hubs to enterprise centres and remote-working hubs; they provide support to entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and allow people to live and work in their own communities.

My Department has provided significant funding to support enterprise centres and hubs through a number of funding schemes including the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, Border Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme. Over €126 million in funding has been approved under those schemes, which have provided both capital expenditure and programmatic supports for enterprise centres. The local authorities have supported many of those funded projects as project partners or by contributing funding.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has also invested substantial funding with over €150 million for development of remote working facilities through programmes such as Connected Hubs, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities.

The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Western Development Commission and my Department are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy. The content of the strategy has been informed through a number of workshops and in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, Regional Enterprise Plan Programme Managers and other stakeholders. The Strategy, which I expect will be published in the coming months, will include measures to support the development and sustainability of enterprise hubs, remote working spaces and community hubs.

The local authorities are very well placed to understand hub development and several local authorities have introduced initiatives to support hubs. The County Monaghan Hub Network, which is supported by Monaghan County Council, for example, aims to maintain the sustainability and growth of hubs across county Monaghan. The Kildare Hub Strategy 2022-2025, meanwhile, sets out a plan for the development of Kildare’s hub infrastructure over the lifetime of that strategy.

Under the €145 million Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, my Department will continue to support regional enterprise projects including development of new enterprise hubs and centres and expansion of existing facilities.

Local authorities have been integral in the development of hubs. While the local authorities are independent, Government will continue to work collaboratively with the local authorities to deliver innovative projects including enterprise centres.