Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD and Minister of State for Business and Employment and Louth/East Meath TD Ged Nash launching North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs in the Boann Distillery.

The North East and North West Action Plan for Jobs launched by the Government yesterday aims at delivering 10-15% employment growth in the region over the coming years.

The Plan is the sixth of 8 regional jobs plans to be published over the coming months, as part of a new €250million regional jobs strategy led by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD.

Since the national Action Plan for Jobs was launched in early 2012 more than 20,000 extra people are at work in the North East/North West (12% growth). During the years 2008-2011, 31,600 jobs were lost in the region. The plan launched today targets employment growth of 10-15% over and above today’s employment levels.

The North East and North West Plan covers counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. Key sectors targeted as part of the plan include traditionally strong sectors for the region like agri-food, manufacturing/engineering and tourism, as well as areas targeted for future growth like digital payments, cleantech and creative services.

Some of the initiatives include:

• An extra 300 to 500 jobs in Gaeltacht regions.
• Cross-border initiatives for companies to gain their first foothold in export markets.
• A Digital Payments Cluster along the M1 Corridor.
• A new Shannon-Erne Blueway and further developments around the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.
• Exploring the potential for a renewable energy innovation centre at Killybegs.
• Increasing the number of start-ups in the region by at least 25%.
• A €2.2million grant funding from Local Enterprise Offices to provide training and mentoring support to over 1,500 business-people per year.

Find out more here: The North East/North West Action Plan for Jobs