Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD said: “Jobs are growing in every region of the country—but they are growing faster in some regions than in others. Regional jobs growth is a key aim of the Government's—not just because it is important in and of itself, but also because it is a crucial element of hitting our overall jobs targets. That is why we have put in place the Regional Jobs Plan process—to accelerate jobs growth in every region of the country, by bringing the different stakeholders together to work on common goals, and by building on the strengths of the region.
“This fund is a key part of that. 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.
“I wish to pay tribute to the business leaders right across the country who have agreed to sit on the regional committees and drive the implementation of the plans in each area. The input of these experienced and successful industry leaders creates a real step-up in the level of innovation and jobs impact of this process. This is a genuine public service which will make a real impact to the regions in which they live and work.”
Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting regional business growth and development. This new €40m competitive regional jobs fund will facilitate more new companies being started up and scaled, which is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. It will also encourage greater collaboration between the research and business communities, which will help to develop more innovative companies and ultimately, more sustainable jobs at a regional level.”
An initial call was made under this call which received 141 expressions of interest
Applications under the fund will be managed by Enterprise Ireland, taking into account factors including jobs impact, collaboration and innovation.
Among the Enterprise Champions responsible for chairing and vice-chairing the implementation committees in each region are:
| South East | |
| Frank O'Regan (Chair) | Entrepreneur & former head of B&L in Waterford |
| Terry Clune | Founder & Chair Connect Ireland and Taxback |
| Seamus Kilgannon | CEO Schivo Group |
| Patsy Carney | CEO Eirgen |
| Rachel Doyle | MD Arboretum, Carlow, Carlow Chamber of Commerce and Bord Bia Member) |
| Pat McLoughlin | Operations Manager Abbott Vascular Clonmel |
| Pauline Oakes | Director of Operations CR Bard |
| Colin Gordon | CEO Glanbia |
| South West | |
| Bob Savage (Chair) | MD EMC Ireland |
| Ed Harty | CEO Dairymaster |
| Kate Murphy, | MD Southern Scientific |
| Yvonne Barry | Partner Quintas |
| Mid West | |
| Barry O'Sullivan (Chair) | Plant Manager, Vistakon, Co. Limerick (Chair) |
| Birgitte Curtin (Vice Chair) | MD Burren Fish Products, Co Clare |
| Clodagh Cavanagh, | Managing Director, Abbey Farm Machinery, Nenagh |
| Gerry Reynolds | CEO, Takumi Precision Engineering Ltd., Co. Limerick |
| West | |
| Gerry Kilcommins, (Chair) | President Medtronic & General Manger of Medtronic Galway |
| Pat O'Donnell (Vice Chair) | Vice President & Managing Director, Allergan |
| Mike Conroy | Chairman of the Information Technology Association Galway and also Cisco Galway |
| Pauline Naughton, | MD of P&G Cards |
| North East/ North West | |
| Richard Hanlon (Chair) | Senior Vice President, Vesta |
| Conor Murphy | Site Director, Abbott Diagnostics |
| Michael Hanley | CEO, Lakeland Dairies |
| Philip Martin | CEO, Cora Systems |
| Martin McVicar | MD, Combilift |
| Brian Leslie | Director, Seaquest |
| Mid East | |
| John Cunningham | Managing Director, Epicom |
| Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Managing Director, Ardmore Studios, Wicklow | CEO, Ardmore Studios, Wicklow |
| Eamon Sinnott (Chair) | General Manager, Intel Ireland |
| Midlands | |
| Pat Gallagher (Chair) | CEO, Westmeath County Council |
| Wayne Byrne | MD, Oxymem |
| Garry Moore | CEO, Steripack |
| Linda O'Reilly | CEO, Elephant Smart Business |
| Seamus Delaney | Director & General Manager, Internal Results Co. Laois |