Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
454. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if a new south-east regional enterprise plan is forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBalanced regional development is a Government priority and a central component of the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 is to support balanced regional enterprise development. My Department and its agencies contribute to this agenda in several ways, including through the nine Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs). These are bottom-up plans developed and led by regional stakeholders, which focus on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise ecosystem in each region.
The South-East REP covers the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford
and its Steering Committee includes representatives from the enterprise agencies, local authorities, Regional Assembly, higher education institutes and industry who work collaboratively to drive implementation of the REP.
The South-East has thirty-two actions under five strategic objectives which covers areas of supporting entrepreneurship, green energy, and innovation.
The REPs were extended for one year to end 2025 with agreement from the Regional Enterprise Plans National Oversight Group at its meeting of 25 April 2024. This extension provided an additional year for continued implementation of the existing plans and time to review the REP initiative and consider the best approach to the future of the REPs.
In this context, my Department commissioned an independent review of the Regional Enterprise Plan initiative in 2025. A Steering Group made up of REP stakeholders and Department officials oversaw the review. The review included significant engagement with regional enterprise stakeholders, in-depth analysis of the plans and their implementation progress reports, and consideration of international approaches to regional enterprise development. The review also included recommendations and options for the future of the REPs.
I will be considering the complete review along with the Final Progress Reports for the Regional Enterprise Plans 2022-2025 due this quarter, in planning for the future approach to the REPs.
