Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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43. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on any new all island enterprise initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21681/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In February 2024, the Government announced €800 million for Shared Island priorities, including €30 million for the new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme. This scheme is a collaborative effort between InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, marking an unprecedented level of cooperation between these agencies. The scheme has three distinct thematic areas:

- Female Entrepreneurship: Eight pilot programs were launched in 2024 to support female entrepreneurs with innovative business concepts or growth aspirations. These pilots will be completed by June 2025 and have already shown significant interest, with over 700 expressions of interest for future engagement. Two pilots specifically for female researchers were oversubscribed, leading to plans for a full program for female researchers.

- Cross-Border Networks and Clusters: InterTradeIreland submitted a successful bid to host The Competitiveness Institute’s (TCI) Global Cluster Conference in October 2025. This event will be a key feature of the clustering theme, with a promotional campaign running from April to July 2025.

- Green Investment Projects: A €20 million All-Island Sustainability Capital Grant was launched in February 2025 to support businesses in decarbonising their operations. Eligible projects include heat electrification, green gases, onsite renewable energy, sustainable water, carbon capture, and circular economy initiatives. Projects must have a minimum capital spend of €6 million and demonstrate significant value and environmental improvement.

Further to this in January 2025, the Irish Government committed an additional €1 billion to the Shared Island Fund, extending its scope to 2035. This funding aims to foster reconciliation, mutual respect, and growth across the island. My Department is evaluating potential projects for future funding and will continue to collaborate closely with the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy to maximize opportunities under the Shared Island Fund.