Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:
I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments , expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal DIstrict.
Minutes:
"I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments, expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal District."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The Government has engaged with Leitrim County Council over the past two years in relation to Brexit. The highest level of activity is with the Local Enterprise Office who are the lead agency in assisting businesses to respond to the challenges posed by Brexit.
The following correspondence was directed to Leitrim County Council:
· Letter to Chief Executive dated 26/02/19 from the Department of Housing and Local Government regarding Data Protection
· Letter from Department of An Taoiseach in response to a request from the elected members of Leitrim County Council detailing the government response to Brexit, presented as correspondence at the Leitrim County Council meeting on 7th May 2019
· Circular BC09 2020 issued 08/12/20 to Chief Executive in relation to construction materials and the requirement of the local authority for market surveillance post Brexit.
· Correspondence in relation to the Border Stimulus Package for Leitrim, with initial receipt of €200,000 for the delivery of LEO training programmes in 2021.
Border Stimulus Package
In January 2020, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD announced a special €28 million economic stimulus package for the Border region to help the counties most impacted from Brexit; Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.
The main objective of the €28m stimulus package is to support businesses across the region to strengthen their resilience and capabilities and drive economic activity.
Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the administration of:
· A €15 million competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund
· A €8.5 million Brexit Transformation Fund
The package also includes the allocation of €3 million to the six Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located in the border counties to establish development programmes for ambitious micro and small firms.
Border Enterprise Development Fund
In June 2020 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD 11 successful projects under the Border Enterprise Development Fund 2020 including the following project which attracted €3.7m
Manorhamilton Innovation & Development CLG
This project is an Innovation and R&D Centre for the Quarry and Construction industry under Industry 4.0 focusing on robotics and cobotics, artificial intelligence and smart data, virtual reality, augmented reality, 3 D industry Printing, software development to develop new prototypes or products and upskill staff, within both industries.
The project is a collaboration between W8 Centre, Enterprise Ireland, Sligo IT, South West College Enniskillen, Irish Manufacturing Centre Mullingar, Irish Concrete Federation, Irish Construction federation, Leitrim County Council and 40 Industry companies that support 10,000 jobs in the Border region.
Leitrim LEO will deliver the following training programmes in 2021 funded under the Border Stimulus Package:
· Financial Capability Programme
· Green for Micro Programme
· Retail Programme
· New Market Development
· Innovation
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Supports
Leitrim LEO offer a range of grant and training supports to clients ... view the full minutes text for item 142