Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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563.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the roll-out of enterprise hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32227/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Balanced regional development is a priority for me and this Government as affirmed in the Government's White Paper on Enterprise.

My Department contributes to this agenda in a number of ways including through the nine Regional Enterprise Plans, each of which includes strategic objectives or actions on maximising the potential of hubs in their regions.

Enterprise hubs play a vital role in supporting the enterprise ecosystem throughout the country. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, has provided funding of over €200 million for the establishment of some 270 enterprise hubs across Ireland through a number of enterprise funding schemes.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has secured €145 million in funding to 2027, co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund, for the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme. The Smart Regions scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland and the first call of €35 million is currently open for applications. This scheme provides support to regional enterprise projects including development of new enterprise hubs and centres and expansion of existing facilities.

The Department of Rural and Community Development, the Western Development Commission and my Department are working together to develop the first National Hub Strategy. The content of the strategy has been informed through a number of workshops and in consultation with hub managers, local authorities, Regional Enterprise Plan Programme Managers and other stakeholders. The Strategy, which I expect will be published in the coming months, will include measures to support the development and sustainability of enterprise hubs, remote working spaces and community hubs to allow them to continue to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs, and allow people to live and work in their own communities.