Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
136. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken by his Department to support existing enterprise hubs and to encourage the development of new enterprise hubs in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30464/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBalanced regional enterprise development is a priority for my Department and for Government, as set out in the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030. I acknowledge the valuable role played by enterprise centres and hubs throughout the country, the importance of which is reflected in the government’s investment in them. These facilities support people to live and work in their own communities and provide vital assistance to entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. The Government remain strongly committed to supporting the sector.
My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht continue to work closely together to develop the first strategy for the National Hub Network following consultation with key stakeholders. The draft strategy will be brought to Government shortly. It will include actions to support the expansion of services at hubs nationwide and further promotion of their role and benefits.
Since 2017, my Department has allocated in excess of €150 million to support regional enterprise development initiatives, including enterprise centres and hubs, via Enterprise Ireland schemes such as the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Border Enterprise Development Fund. Almost €11 million has been approved for projects in County Cork including €2.7 million invested in the recently launched Campus Íosagáin in Ballyvourney, and over €3 million for SynBioHub at UCC.
The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme, co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund and administered by Enterprise Ireland, is currently open for applications. The scheme consists of four streams, supporting the development of key local enterprise infrastructure, such as enterprise hubs, clusters and consortia, programmes that help SMEs foster innovation, and feasibility and priming grants. Six separate awards have already been made in Cork under this scheme.
The schemes mentioned have already played a significant role in supporting and developing enterprise hubs nationwide, including the delivery of over 60 pieces of physical infrastructure. Government will, through my Department and Enterprise Ireland, continue to support collaboration with local authorities and other stakeholders to deliver innovative projects.
