Government to align future regional enterprise plans with regional spatial strategies

Future regional enterprise plans will align directly with regional assemblies' spatial and economic strategies under a new framework expected in early 2027.

Speaking during Dáil questions on enterprise support services, Minister of State Alan Dillon stated that the approach approved by the Government will link enterprise development more closely to the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) adopted by Ireland's regional assemblies. The measure follows an independent review and the evaluation of final progress reports from the previous regional enterprise plans, which ran to the end of 2025.

Department officials are drafting a regional enterprise framework statement in consultation with other departments, state agencies, and regional authorities. The framework is intended to ensure future enterprise initiatives operate as targeted implementation programmes aligned with statutory RSES frameworks, integrating infrastructure, skills, and spatial planning.

During the debate, Deputy John Connolly raised ongoing enterprise projects across the west, covering Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon. Connolly highlighted a proposed life sciences and health tech campus in Galway involving the University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University, alongside an extension to the gteic facility at Na Forbacha tailored for the life sciences sector. Connolly noted that the Na Forbacha project had already secured planning permission and had reached an advanced stage in tender preparation.

Minister of State Dillon confirmed that over €19 million has been allocated to the western region through the regional enterprise development fund and stated that Enterprise Ireland is continuing feasibility work on the proposed Galway campus project.