Government announces plan to create 25,000 jobs in mid-east

The Government has announced details of a jobs strategy it says will create 25,000 new posts in the mid-east region.

The proposal aims to deliver 10-15 per cent employment growth in Meath, Kildare and Wicklow over the coming years.

It is the seventh of eight regional jobs plans to be published over the coming months, as part of a new €250million jobs strategy.

The Government said levels of employment growth actually achieved will depend on factors including the level of support and collaboration within the local community for the plan, and the level of collaboration between organisations in the region and the main Government bodies involved.

Key sectors targeted include high tech-manufacturing, agri-food, tourism, renewable energy, the equine industry and the film/creative content industry.

As part of the plan, the Government said it would achieve an increase of at least 25 per cent in the number of start-ups in the region, and a 25 per cent improvement in the survival rate of new businesses.

In terms of foreign investment, it said it would increase the number of IDA investments in the region by 30-40 per cent up to 2019 through actions including appointing a dedicated regional manager for the mid-east.

There will also be measures to develop the potential for a series of projects including a climate change research and innovation centre, a pharmaceutical research and innovation centre.

On the equine industry, the statement said initiatives would include developing a joint marketing strategy to brand the region as the “equine capital of the world”.

The plan will also seek to develop a feasibility study and business plan for the development of an internationally recognised audio-visual industry cluster in Wicklow, and separately explore the development of a regional arts hub at Maynooth University.

In terms of the implementation of the plan, the statement said a “comprehensive implementation structure” is being established to “ensure delivery”.