1078. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to provide more grants targeted at creating employment or by directing investment to lesser developed areas to provide suitable employment opportunities in Galway East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59127/26]

The Government remains committed to supporting balanced regional development and ensuring that all parts of the country, including Galway East, can benefit from enterprise investment and job creation. Through my Department and its agencies, a range of measures are already in place to encourage investment and employment outside the main urban centres, with a particular focus on the regions.

Enterprise Ireland continues to prioritise regional enterprise development through financial and advisory supports for indigenous businesses at all stages of development, including start-ups, scaling companies and established SMEs. These supports are available to eligible companies throughout the State and are designed to assist firms in increasing productivity, innovating, expanding into new markets and creating sustainable employment.

A key objective of Enterprise Ireland’s current strategy is to support employment growth across all regions, with two thirds of Enterprise Ireland-supported jobs located outside Dublin. In 2025, 12,608 new jobs were created in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland, with 69% of these located outside the Dublin region. All nine regions of the country recorded jobs growth in 2025.

In addition, the Regional Enterprise Plans have provided a framework for developing employment opportunities based on the specific strengths and needs of each region. The Regional Enterprise Development Fund and related regional initiatives have also supported projects that strengthen the enterprise ecosystem, improve regional competitiveness and create conditions that attract investment and employment to areas outside the main cities. These measures are intended to ensure that communities in counties such as Galway can benefit from high-quality and sustainable employment opportunities.

My Department continually reviews its enterprise supports to ensure they are aligned with regional development objectives and emerging economic opportunities. Consideration is given on an ongoing basis to how existing and future programmes can best support employment creation in areas that may face particular economic or demographic challenges.

I am committed to working with Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and regional stakeholders to maximise investment and employment opportunities in Galway East and across the wider west of Ireland, and to ensuring that Government supports continue to contribute to balanced regional economic development.