Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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579.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a progress report on the implementation of the midland regional enterprise plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32919/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Balanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to progress this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).

The REPs are collaborative plans bringing together a range of stakeholders, including the enterprise agencies, local authorities and higher education institutions. The Midlands REP is implemented at a regional level by a Steering Committee made up of stakeholders from Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois. Dr Anne Cusack is Chair of the Midlands REP Steering Committee. The last meeting of the Steering Committee was held on 17 May in Mullingar, County Westmeath, with the next scheduled for 22 November in County Longford.

My Department oversees implementation of the REPs at the national level. A meeting of the National Oversight Group for the REPs with Steering Committee Chairpersons, including Dr Cusack, took place on 25 April 2024. At that meeting the REP Chairpersons provided feedback on implementation and the future of the REPs initiative was also discussed.

Nine REP Progress Reports have been published, which document implementation to the end of Q3 2023 for each plan, including the Midlands. These reports were prepared by the Steering Committees and are available on my Department’s website.

Good progress has been made implementing actions across the Midlands REP. Some highlights include:

• The launch on 17 May of new Midlands Regional and Town Profiles. The profiles cover the region and five key towns: Athlone, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Tullamore, and Longford, each demonstrating distinctive attributes that make them attractive destinations to invest, work and live. They serve to promote the region’s value proposition, including its centrality, the existing enterprise base and access to talent, as well as its rich arts, cultural and recreational assets.
• European Digital Innovation Hub funding was awarded to Irish Manufacturing Research, Mullingar to lead the FactoryXchange in Mullingar. It will serve as a one-stop-shop, providing access to technical expertise and experimentation, as well as innovation services and the training and skills development necessary for successful digital transformation.