Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the progress to date in developing workspace hubs as provided for under the Shared Island Initiative; and when it is expected that such enterprise spaces will be provided in areas such as Cavan and Monaghan. [1853/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the progress to date in providing workspace hubs on a cross-Border basis as provided for under the Shared Island Initiative. [1854/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 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 have subsequently engaged 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 is continuing to 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 and potential for impactful cooperation with Northern Ireland counterparts.
More broadly, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht are continuing to work together to develop the first strategy for the National Hub Network, following consultation with key stakeholders.
Also, the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland is currently open for applications. The scheme includes four streams ranging from delivery of major local enterprise infrastructure such as building enterprise hubs to funding for services delivered to SMEs to drive innovation and enhance their competitiveness.
The Government will continue to work collaboratively with local authorities which have supported and been project partners on many enterprise hubs delivered to date.
