Enterprise Ireland announces €5m funding for 48 projects in drive for new local and regional Job Creation

Enterprise Ireland today announced the allocation of €5m in funding for local and regional initiatives to support new businesses and jobs across the country under the LEO Competitive Fund and the Community Enterprise Initiative.

This funding is the beginning of a new approach to supporting job creation initiatives at local and regional level in support of the Regional Acton Plans for Jobs.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government to create jobs in every region of the country, this €5m allocation will support ‘bottom up’ projects where:

The Local Enterprise Offices will group together to create collaborative projects in their region (€2m) and Community organisations will partner with other regional organisations to deliver new job creation projects (€3m).

Welcoming the funding allocation, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said: “Every parish, county and region knows it has particular strengths that can create jobs. The Government is committed to supporting that effort. In my first few weeks as Minister, I am impressed by the commitment of everyone involved in the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. Local and regional organisations, public and private, have committed to work together in the drive for jobs and to create the opportunities for people to live and work in their local communities. I am determined to support these regions to help them to achieve their potential and their ambition. In that regard, I am particularly pleased that Enterprise Ireland will issue a 2nd call later this year and work with interested groups to deliver quality projects in their regions.”

Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon said: “Job creation is alive and well in the regions and Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting that effort. The first competitive call for funding was very well subscribed and we look forward to working with those allocated funding today and with all the other organisations that have come forward with projects to boost job creation potential across the country. Enterprise Ireland knows that working with local and regional groups, and supporting collaborative initiatives is the key to strengthening job creation at community, local and regional level.”