Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor to support the further development of Enterprise Units in Kantoher, Broadford, Newcastle West and Rathkeale. The Minister for Jobs announced funding for projects through Enterprise Ireland to support locally based enterprise centres to develop. A total of 48 projects nationally will receive funding amounting to €5million.
Patrick O’Donovan said he was glad to be able to support the Innovate Limerick application for funding for the projects concerned. He said that two applications had been made by Innovate Limerick for the appointment of a development officer to promote the centres at the Red Door, Newcastle West, the Kantoher Enterprise Centre and the Broadford Enterprise Centre. Separately a second allocation has been approved to provide additional incubation and small business space in the old Andersen Ireland Plant in Rathkeale.
“I worked very closely with Limerick City and County Council and the Rathkeale Community Council to secure the old Andersen Plant for job creation in Rathkeale. We succeeded in getting the building bought for the Community and it is fantastic to see jobs now back in the plant. I also helped to secure funding from the Department of Health in the last Dáil to provide a home for the Butterfly Club who work with special needs children in the now Rathkeale Enterprise Centre. I am delighted that the Department of Jobs and Enterprise Ireland have both recognised the role of the Rathkeale Centre by allocating these additional resources.”
Patrick O’Donovan congratulated Innovate Limerick on the work that they are doing across Co. Limerick in promoting small and medium sized enterprises. He said that the Government is committed to working with companies like Innovate Limerick to ensure job creation across rural communities is prioritised and he looked forward to continuing to work with Innovate Limerick and Limerick City & County Council in the time ahead.
