I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I am informed that a feasibility assessment on developing SME workspace hubs was undertaken by Monaghan County Council and Cavan County Council, in partnership with local authorities in Northern Ireland supported in 2022 through the Shared Island Local Authority development funding scheme administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and this work was completed in November 2024.
Local authorities are now engaging with relevant Departments and Agencies on potential options to progress this work to a further stage of development, and the Shared Island Unit in my Department will continue to actively monitor progress in this regard.
Consideration of any proposal will be for the relevant line Minister and their Department in the first instance, with reference to sectoral policy and all relevant funding sources.