€10m in funding announced for start-ups from regional groups

The Jobs Minister said a €10 million initiative to support more start-up businesses will be led by people in local and regional areas.

The initiative comprises of two funds, with the closing date in mid July.

A €5 million fund will be open to groups of Local Enterprise Offices, and another €5 million Community Enterprise Initiatives fund will be open to groups and organisations in every county who come together with ideas for projects to create employment.

Minister Richard Bruton said this new initiative will be driven from the bottom-up.

"They are aimed at the local enterprise offices, which are now embedded in the local authorities … there are many ways in which groups could collaborate within the regions to develop initiatives," he said.

"This is about bottom-up growth - you can't expect someone in [government buildings at] Merrion Street or Kildare Street to know the environment in Kerry, and get the best ideas … and people to drive them forward."