The Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) is part of the programme for government 2025. The REP is an initiative of the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment (DETE) and coordinated by local authorities. It is one of nine REPs aiming to identify opportunities for developing enterprise in the regions around Ireland, turning these opportunities into actions that benefit communities.
A plan based on collaboration in a specific place
REPs are unique as each of them focuses on a specific area using a method called Smart Specialisation, which can be considered as a location-based SWOT analysis, focusing particularly on growing regional strengths. The plan is very collaborative in that it is specifically designed to use a bottom-up approach, engaging directly with stakeholders at a local and regional level. Collaboration occurs between Ireland’s industry, its higher education institutions and its policy makers. This way of working is a well-known stakeholder-engagement tool known as the Triple Helix, which is used around the world.
REPs currently run for three years. The plan drives enterprise development at all levels, from microbusinesses to multinationals, including service-led enterprises with the potential to export.
New initiatives bolstered meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the open doors initiative and the empower our future series of events
The current Dublin REP
The current Dublin REP 2021-2024 has made a significant impact on Dublin. Strategic objectives included place-making, opportunities for all members of the community to access employment and self-employment, start-up and SME development, green transition and digital-skills advancement. Actions included mapping Dublin’s enterprise hubs, such as The Guinness Enterprise Centre, which is now Ireland’s largest start-up incubator.
The Dublin place brand for living, working, investing and studying was advanced within the region. Significant mentoring programmes were run by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO), led by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council LEO, to provide structured upskilling for business mentors in the areas of digital transformation and green transition, which are two major EU competitiveness goals.
Through Regional Enterprise funding programmes, including the Smart Regions Initiative from Enterprise Ireland, the REP supported new industry clusters in the Guinness Enterprise Centre; social enterprises, including artisanal enterprise space; coworking and community hubs. A 15 Minute City policy was produced by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, providing a clear pathway for healthy place-making and compact growth through sustainable, well-connected neighbourhoods.
New initiatives bolstered meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities through the Open Doors Initiative and the Empower Our Future series of events, which included speakers such as the Lord Mayor of Dublin City and panel discussions. The events included the award-winning initiatives from Mr Price Branded Bargains, as featured in the Irish-Times.
Thousands of people accessed city of Dublin Education Training Board (ETB) Digital-Skills Training, including 255 graduates with Google Professional Certificates in areas such as data analytics
South Dublin County Council’s Priory Market in Tallaght was a great example of community-led enterprise development, creating jobs and regenerating a vacant building through regional funding.
Thousands of people accessed City of Dublin Education Training Board (ETB) digital-skills training, including 255 graduates with Google professional certificates in areas such as data analytics. Fingal County Council launched a new Skills Strategy highlighting digital transition, thus strengthening future workforce planning.
The Smart Dublin initiative, examined cutting-edge technology, including digital twins which is an active collaboration between all councils in the Dublin region.
Carbon reduction was a major focus area of the current plan, whereby SMEs were supported through sustainability training and advisory services from the LEOs and Dublin Chamber. Significant work also began on a Circular Economy Hub to help businesses cut waste and adopt new models.
Enterprise Ireland and The Regional Skills Fora (RSF) were key stakeholders in the most recent REP. Through collaboration, the Dublin RSF delivered major events on AI, digital adoption and SME upskilling.
The importance of Balanced Regional Development
In the National Development Plan, Ireland places great emphasis on balanced regional development. What is balanced regional development? Put simply, all boats rise with the right map, the right crew and conditions.
Ireland has eight NUTS3 regions including three major regions (NUTS2). The three major regions are home to Ireland’s five cities. Under the new EU Cohesion Policy, to aid access to regional funding, member states are encouraged to prioritise balanced regional development and resource-efficient growth. The Cohesion Policy prioritises place-based development in green and digital transition.
Most economic growth takes place in major cities, but there are opportunities to explore throughout each county. This is where the importance of the nine REPs comes to the fore. To gain in-depth understanding of the regional economic drivers, each Regional Enterprise Manager is engaged in ongoing research and consultation.
While each region is distinct, in a small country like Ireland, many regions will share the same resources, for example availability of university graduates or access to raw materials and infrastructure. Through the 12-year Regional Economic Spatial Strategy (RSES), Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies play a key role in planning the future of Ireland and its communities.
In the National Planning Framework, Ireland has a goal of 50/50 growth for the five cities and the rest of the country.
What happens next?
Work is due to begin on the next plan, and stakeholders across Dublin will be invited to shape the objectives and actions. As the plan is built on collaboration, to help guide the planning process, the strongest opportunities for collaboration will be identified and strengthened across the four local authorities. By building on Dublin’s distinctive strengths and applying the principles of place-based planning, the next REP can ensure that the region remains a centre of innovation and inclusive growth for Ireland.
Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan Programme Manager
