4th March 2022
Government investing up to €180 million to boost regional development across the country
Local company MCC announces €4 million in Castlebar site, creating 30 new jobs
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy TD, today launched the West Regional Enterprise Plan for Galway, Mayo and Roscommon as part of a €180 million investment in regional development.
The Government has committed to nine enterprise plans, covering every part of the country. Up to €180 million in funding is being provided to invest in new projects which create new jobs and help companies grow in each region.
The Tánaiste also visited local printing company MCC who today announced a €4 million investment in the Castlebar site, creating 30 new jobs.
On the launch of the West Regional Enterprise Plan, the Tánaiste said:
“The Government is committed to balanced regional development, meaning we are constantly looking at ways to bring jobs and prosperity to every part of the country. We’ve developed nine, region-specific plans, which will each look at how best to drive investment and create long-term, sustainable jobs in each of the areas they cover.
“It’s great to be in Mayo today to launch the plan for the West. Galway, Mayo and Roscommon have so much to offer. This Plan, which has been developed by the local community, will look at how we can strengthen and grow existing industries, such as Life Sciences, AgTech and Food and of course the Cultural and Creative sector and realise the potential of new, developing industries, such as Renewable Energy. I believe the West has the potential to become a renewable energy powerhouse, fulfilling Ireland’s electricity needs and also some of Europe’s too. This Plan is about realising that and other opportunities.
“One of my priorities as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, is to have 2.5 million people employed in the country by 2024. We’re investing up to €180m in these nine regional enterprise plans to help reach that target.”
On the announcement from MCC, the Tánaiste said:
“This is great news from MCC, investing €4 million in the Castlebar site, creating 30 new jobs for the local area. This money will go towards preparing for the future, investing in increasing capacity and new technology. I wish the team all the very best with this expansion – it’s exactly the kind of thing we are trying to bring about with our regional enterprise plans.”
Welcoming the launch of the West Regional Plan, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy TD said,
“Delighted to launch the new West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 here in GMIT Castlebar. This Plan is a direct result of the ambition and collaboration of industry leaders, enterprise agencies, local authorities, and more from across the region to address the unique challenges and opportunities for the West. I particularly want to congratulate Evelyn O’Toole, Chair of the West Steering Committee, Helena Deane, West Programme Manager and to the Committee members. You have delivered an exciting and ambitious Plan for the region.
“I had the pleasure of working with Evelyn and the Committee throughout 2021 as the new plan was developed and am delighted to see the final product. The plan hits on a number of key themes and sectors where the West has significant potential and opportunity, including the cultural and creative sector, Lifesciences, Agri-tech and Food, Renewable Energy, and tourism, in addition to focusing on digitalisation, green transformation and innovation in the region.
“I was determined to ensure that funding be made available to drive the Regional Enterprise Plans and I am very pleased that we have secured up to €180 million in funding over the coming years. This will allow the enterprise community in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon pursue this ambitious plan and I look forward to working with Evelyn and the Steering Committee as they begin implementation.”
Each of the nine Regional Enterprise Plans has been developed throughout 2021 by Regional Steering Committees. Each Regional Committee is chaired by a senior figure from the private sector and includes the Enterprise Agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities, Regional Assemblies, higher and further education bodies and others. The plans also complement Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government framework to develop rural Ireland in the coming years.
Evelyn O’Toole, Chair of the West Regional Steering Committee said:
“I am delighted that the Tánaiste and Minister Troy could be here with us today to launch the West Regional Enterprise Plan.
“This Plan is the result of deep and engaged consultation and cooperation across the region and I am very proud of the finished product which is ambitious and inclusive of the variety of strengthens of the West. Can I thank the Steering Committee members across counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon for their time and commitment to developing this Plan and I look forward to that same commitment with you all as we move to implementation stage.”
The West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024 can be accessed on the Department’s website - West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Regional Enterprise Plans – County breakdown
Region | County |
|---|
Midlands | Offaly Laois Westmeath Longford |
North-East | Louth Cavan Monaghan |
North-West | Donegal Sligo Leitrim |
Mid-East | Kildare Meath Wicklow |
West | Galway Mayo Roscommon |
Mid-West | Clare Limerick Tipperary |
South-East | Carlow Kilkenny Waterford Wexford |
South-West | Cork Kerry |
Dublin | Dublin |
The €180m in funding will support the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative projects that can enable and sustain enterprise and employment growth in the regions.
There have been three Calls to date under the previous Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and almost €100 million in funding has been approved for enterprise projects in all regions. Under the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS), which was announced last year, €9.4 million in funding was announced for 24 existing projects which were impacted by Covid-19, Brexit and other market challenges.
The West Region has secured over €18.9m in approved funding for 9 projects (see appendix for list of projects) under the REDF and RETS.
All of the West projects funded under the REDF and RETS are progressing.
West Regional Enterprise Development Fund, Border Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme funded projects
Project | REDF funding | RETS funding | Project description |
BIA Innovator Campus CLG | €2,466,148 | n/a | Workspace for a dynamic regional food and drink innovation center. |
Galway City Innovation District CLG | €2,487,400 | n/a | Co-working and event space for technology and MedTech scale-up companies. |
Midc Páirc Na Mara | €2,000,000 | n/a | Development of a Marine Innovation and Development Centre (MIDC). |
The Burren Lowlands CLG | €182,786 | n/a | An enterprise platform to provide a focal point to create and attract additional jobs to this area. |
Comhoibriú CLG | €2,694,833 | n/a | Centre of Excellence providing co-working space, incubation, accelerator programmes, training and outreach services to the creative sector |
Galway City Innovation District (GCID) | €1,205,833 | n/a | New space to help export oriented fast-growth tech companies. |
Galway Technology Centre DAC | €4,023,400 | n/a | Expansion of the Centre and to develop ‘Academy West’ to assist scaling enterprise across the West. |
SCCUL Enterprises CLG | €1,239,408 | n/a | Enterprise centre helping Start-ups, SMEs and Social Enterprise across the region including scaling and expanding their ‘Bizmentors’ programme. |
Grow Remote CLG | €449,442 | n/a | Fostering community chapters of remote workers using their ChangeX platform to provide education and assistance to hubs. |
Galway City Innovation District (Bowling Green) | n/a | €285,858 | Enhancements to the proposed development at the Warehouse building to mitigate the issues that COVID-19 has caused for shared workspaces. Additions include higher specification ventilation system, improved furniture and shared spaces as well as 2 additional employees. Funding was sought for a Return to Work Manager and a Technical Manager, Consultancy, Promotional expenses, Structural changes to improve access to the facility with COVID in mind, including improved HVAC systems and ventilation, partitions and hot desk facilities. |
Galway Technology Centre | n/a | €238,584 | This development of the Cube provides the appropriate space within a section of the GTC for remote, hybrid and blended workers as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. These changes will assist existing and new tenants of the GTC. Funding is for Promotion, Consultancy to project manage the rapid build and for Renovation and fit out costs |
BIA Innovator Campus CLG | n/a | €1,645,552 | Funding for this project is mainly sought for Building and Equipment fit out works to expand the originally approved 1,008 sq.m. centre by 242 sq.m. For the existing centre funding is also sought to improve COVID-19 ventilation systems, enhanced systems, showcasing manufacturing 4.0 practices and additional entrepreneurship programmes and assistance. This funding will help the centre in its requirement to provide not only a COVID safe environment and best practice for its clients and a safe place from where to host its training programs. |
Total | €16,729,249 | €2,169,994 | TOTAL FUNDING: €18,889,243 |
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