Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a report on the implementation of the south-west regional enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16932/24]
View answerBalanced regional enterprise development is a key focus for me and this Government as reaffirmed in the White Paper on Enterprise. My Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).
The South-West REP is implemented at a regional level by a Steering Committee made up of stakeholders from Cork and Kerry. Patricia Quane is Chair of the South-West REP Steering Committee and is supported by a Programme Manager based in Cork County Council. The South-West Steering Committee last met on 26 February 2024 where updates on implementation were shared with members.
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 is planned for Thursday 25 April, where implementation across all REPs will be discussed.
Nine REP Mid-Term Progress Reports were recently published, which document implementation to the end of Q3 2023 for each plan, including the South-West. These reports were prepared by each regional Steering Committee and are available on my Department’s website. Good progress has been made implementing actions across the South-West REP.
Some highlights detailed in the Progress Report include;
• the establishment of a Cluster Managers Forum which is fostering active engagement and collaboration among all Clusters in the region.
• successful formation of Cork and Kerry Hub Networks facilitating ongoing collaboration on various events and projects, continuing through 2024.
• the Regional Enterprise Innovation Scoping Scheme (REISS) has provided support for several regionally significant studies, including a feasibility study for the Space Industry Cluster and the Re-Create Shandon Hub initiative.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has secured up to €145 million for the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme to support projects aligned to the REPs. This builds on the €126 million my Department has already allocated in regional enterprise funding. The South-West has performed very well under these funding schemes securing over €19.5 million in approved funding for 15 innovative enterprise projects.
The first call of €35 million under the new scheme, which is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, is now open on the Enterprise Ireland website. I expect that there will be up to four calls under this fund over the coming years and I encourage innovative projects from the South-West to apply.
