Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1031. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the implementation of the South-West Regional Enterprise Plan insofar as it relates to Cork county; the actions completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57018/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBalanced regional development is a Government priority. My Department and its agencies contribute to this agenda in several ways, including through the Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).
The REPs are bottom-up plans developed and led by regional stakeholders, which focused on collaborative initiatives to strengthen the enterprise environment. Each of the nine REPs were tailored to reflect regional strengths and opportunities and aligned to national enterprise policy priorities such as decarbonisation and digitalisation. The latest REPs ran from 2022 to the end of 2025, following agreement to extend them by one year to support implementation and to enable consideration of the future of the REPs.
In 2025 my Department commissioned an independent review of the REP initiative. The review included significant engagement with regional stakeholders, analysis of the plans and implementation reports, and consideration of international approaches. It also provided recommendations and options for the future of the REPs. The Final Progress Reports for the latest REPs will be published in the coming months; these, along with the review’s findings have informed my decision on the future approach to regional enterprise development.
The South-West REP covers counties Cork and Kerry. The Steering Committee includes stakeholders from the Enterprise Agencies, LEOs, Local Authorities, Regional Skills, Higher and Further Education bodies, Fáilte Ireland and companies in the private sector and others.
The South-West REP comprised 49 actions under the following six strategic objectives:
Enhance the enterprise eco-system across the region through innovation, entrepreneurship and digitalisation.
Maximise the potential of digital enterprise and innovation hubs to support digitalisation, business growth, climate action, and smart working.
Support cluster organisations in driving the development and growth of enterprises.
Bolster the South-West as a leader in sustainable food production and agri-tech through education, technology and innovation.
Embrace the opportunities of climate action in the marine, circular bioeconomy, tourism and energy sectors.
Ensure a strong pipeline of talent in the region, focusing on sustainable high-quality jobs.
Some of the initiatives supported through the REP include the Impact Hub at the Crann Centre and the IT@Cork technology cluster. The Final Progress Report for the South-West REP is to be published in the coming months and will provide a comprehensive update on implementation the Plan. This report and the final progress reports for the other eight REPs will be made available on the Department’s website.
Infrastructure development is also a key priority, and Cork has received €8.8 million in Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) grants for projects including enterprise hubs and biotech innovation centres. Additionally, €0.5 million has been allocated through the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme to support feasibility and priming initiatives. These investments foster place-based innovation and encourage collaboration between local enterprises, research institutions, and public bodies.
