Launch of Regional Action Plan for Jobs to accelerate the rural recovery – Corcoran Kennedy

“The economic recovery is well underway and over 80,000 new jobs have been created. This is in no small part due to the success of the Action Plan for Jobs (APJ) and now it is time to launch the rural revival through the Action Plan for Jobs – Regional”, says Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael TD for Laois/Offaly and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Jobs Committee.

“The Action Plan for Jobs – Regional was launched today (Wednesday) by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD. Employment is growing in every region but extra resources are needed to accelerate the recovery in regional areas and that is what the Action Plan for Jobs – Regional is all about.

“Based on the APJ, each region will develop a strategy setting out lists of actions with timelines and responsibility allocated, and then monitoring implementation. A regional team will be established to meet with stakeholders, identify the strengths of a region and to finalise actions. The first plan will be published in the coming weeks for the Midlands, with six plans published by July and all eight in place by the Autumn.

“As part of the Action Plan for Jobs – Regional a five year, €250million strategy has been laid out. Up to €100 million in Enterprise Ireland funding will be made available, €50 million of which will be up for grabs on a competitive basis from this year. This funding will be allocated to regional projects that show the best potential for jobs creation.

“IDA Ireland will also make available €150 million capital investment programme over the five year period. Over the coming years investments will be made in building advance manufacturing and office facilities in Sligo, Tralee, Castlebar, Galway, Dundalk, Limerick, Athlone, Carlow and Waterford.

“Action Plan for Jobs – Regional is based on a ‘bottom up’ policy and takes a competitive approach. As someone who lives very happily in rural Ireland I know that there are great businesses in every part of the country and that there is a treasure trove of ideas. This strategy is about maximising potential and providing additional support for the projects and businesses.

“Across each of the 8 regions lead responsibility for coordinating the development of the plan will be assigned to an Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland official. Stakeholders including enterprise agencies, educational institutions, local authorities, business and community groups will be responsible for working together. ·      

“In the last two weeks over 1,300 new jobs have been announced in Regional Ireland. The goal now is to build on this momentum, to reach full employment by 2018 and to continue to drive the regional recovery. I commend Minister Bruton for taking the lead in tackling this important issue and I look forward to news of many news jobs and businesses in all eight regions.”