merrion street

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton today launched a €40million competitive regional jobs fund as part of the Regional Jobs Plan.

The fund is aimed at incentivising organisations such as local authorities, education institutions and state agencies to work together on a regional basis in the interest of job creation. The fund will be rolled out on a phased basis under five themes including regional accelerator projects, driving procurement opportunities for start-ups and established small businesses and strengthening Third-level as a driver of regional enterprise.

Commenting on the fund, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

“This competitive fund has at its heart one of the key elements of our Regional Jobs Strategy - maximising local strengths through a coordinated effort from all local stakeholders. Everyone has to pull together to foster enterprise and create jobs. The Government is determined to keep the recovery going and deliver sustainable full employment by 2020 and these Regional Jobs Plans are a significant milestone on the journey."

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said:

“It will incentivise collaboration by the stakeholders in each region, and reward the regions who come forward with the projects that have the greatest capacity to create jobs.”

For more information, see the press release here.