1080. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the regional distribution of enterprise and employment funding under programmes announced by his Department and to prioritise providing equal funding to all areas, including Galway east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59129/26]

1082. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has assessed the extent to which regional funding classifications may disadvantage businesses located in areas that do not qualify for enhanced grant aid when competing for investment or grant aid with businesses in designated areas; whether a review of these classifications is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59131/26]

1083. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he is satisfied that the geographic criteria used in the allocation of enterprise grants and regional investment supports operate fairly for businesses in County Galway; whether consideration has been given to extending enhanced supports to areas such as Galway east that may not qualify under existing classifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59132/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1080, 1082 and 1083 together.

Enterprise and employment supports administered by my Department and its agencies are available to eligible businesses throughout the State, including in County Galway and Galway East. The distribution of funding under individual programmes is generally demand-led and is determined by the volume and quality of applications received, the objectives of the relevant scheme, and compliance with applicable eligibility and State aid requirements.

The geographic criteria applied under enterprise grant and regional investment support schemes operate within the framework of national policy objectives and, where relevant, in accordance with European Union State aid rules. The current Regional Aid Map for Ireland, which is in effect for the period 2022–2027, identifies areas eligible for higher levels of regional aid and is determined in line with the European Commission's Regional Aid Guidelines. These arrangements are designed to support balanced regional development and address regional disparities in economic activity and investment.

While certain schemes provide enhanced levels of support in designated assisted areas, businesses located outside those areas continue to have access to a wide range of supports through Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and other programmes operated by my Department and its agencies. These supports assist businesses to invest, innovate, improve productivity, expand exports and create employment.

My Department is conscious of the importance of ensuring that enterprises in all regions remain competitive and has regard to the impact of support measures across different geographic areas. The operation of enterprise supports is kept under ongoing review and my Department engages regularly with the enterprise agencies and other stakeholders regarding their effectiveness. Any consideration of changes to regional aid classifications or the extension of enhanced aid intensities to additional areas would arise in the context of future revisions to the EU State aid framework and the preparation of successor arrangements to the current Regional Aid Map.

My Department remains committed to supporting enterprise growth and job creation across all parts of the country, including Galway East, and to ensuring that businesses have access to appropriate supports to develop and compete successfully.