Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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864. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific supports or funding that will be provided to Killarney Innovation Centre’s expansion to accommodate up to 100 employees and further enhance its capacity for social enterprises and start-ups in the region given the role in fostering local entrepreneurship. [40905/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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865. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given that the expansion of the Killarney Innovation Centre includes the integration of advanced IT infrastructure to support tech-focused businesses, the details of any Government programmes or initiatives designed to help ensure that such facilities are accessible to SMEs and tech companies within the region [40906/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 864 and 865 together.

The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme ("Smart Regions") was launched in October 2023 and is the current funding model for enterprise infrastructure, including IT infrastructure. One of the goals of the scheme is to deliver targeted infrastructure that benefits local businesses who make use of locations such as the Killarney Innovation Centre and their facilities. The scheme is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Smart Regions aims to accelerate economic growth in all regions of the country and has already approved over €10 million in funding to enterprise development projects across our regions. This includes significant investment in Kerry, such as the €1 million invested in the RDI Hub's AI Navigator Programme, located in Killorglin, which aims to assist small business in adapting to AI.

I understand that Killarney Innovation Hub is currently exploring options for support for their proposed expansion under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme and talks are ongoing between the Centre and Enterprise Ireland with a view to an application, which is expected to be submitted shortly.

Enterprise Ireland are the administrators of the scheme and determine the success or otherwise of its applicants based on a set of criteria examining the proposed goals and likely impact of funding. Helping projects such as those proposed by the Killarney Innovation Centre develop proposals to fit the scheme and its goals is also part of their remit.

It would not be appropriate to commit to funding such a project in advance of the outcome of a competitive process, however the Deputy can rest assured that appropriate consideration is being given.

In addition to current discussions, in 2022 Enterprise Ireland approved funding of €75,600 under the Community Enterprise Scheme for the Killarney Innovation Centre in support of the operation of the location.