STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Tanaiste in Donegal opens EUR 1.1m Incubation and Enterprise Centre

By Joan Fahey, November 11, 2008

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D., was in Donegal recently to launch Fiontarlann, a new state of the art EUR1.1m Incubation and Enterprise Centre, in Baile Mún, Cill Chartaigh, in the South West Donegal Gaeltacht.

The Centre is the result of an innovative partnership between WESTBIC (the Business Innovation Centre for the Border Midland and Western Region) and Áislann Cill Chártha Teo. (a local community organisation). The project was co-funded by the International Fund for Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta who have invested EUR 410,557 and EUR 471,115 respectively.

The new Centre will provide serviced office space with flexible workspace, free renewable energy heating and broadband for early-stage and developing enterprises. The concept of the Fiontarlann is to facilitate acceleration of these enterprises from early development through to commercialisation and expansion via the provision of essential technology-specific services and facilities on site.

Speaking at the launch, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment said: “There has always been a tangible culture of enterprise and self-sufficiency in Kilcar and surrounding areas. I'm delighted to see this impressive facility launched here today, which is the culmination of so much hard work, perseverance and determination by a dedicated group of like-minded people. This Incubation and Enterprise Centre, already home to two businesses, has the potential to become a significant success story. I compliment all associated with Fiontarlann and wish Eunan Cunningham and the WESTBIC team every success for the future.”

Commenting on the opening of the new Centre, Denis Rooney, Chairman, International Fund for Ireland, said: “This Incubation and Enterprise Centre is critical to supporting the local community to develop and grow local employment and will make a very positive difference to the lives of the people of Kilcar and the surrounding area.” He went on to say: “Building the social and entrepreneurial capacity of the community goes to the very core of the work of the International Fund for Ireland. It is this capacity which is the very foundation upon which the future of our society is based, and as part of our ‘Sharing this Space’ strategy, we are keen to work with all of you to ensure that solid foundations are put in place.”

Chris Coughlan, Chairman of WESTBIC commented: “We are supplying the complete solution to entrepreneurs who are seeking a high quality, flexible office environment with onsite supports while enjoying the benefits of working in a rural setting”

Toirleach O Laoi from Aislann Cill Chartha, representing the local community said: “The development of the Fiontarlann will provide opportunities for the provision of high quality employment in this rural area”.

According to Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, Chairman of Údarás na Gaeltachta: “This Incubation and Enterprise Centre, Fiontarlann, provides a new enterprise infrastructure for Start Up companies and small businesses in the South West Donegal Gaeltacht. The Centre offers a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to develop their businesses in their locality and Údarás na Gaeltachta are delighted to be able to support and fund such an initiative. I would like to thank the International Fund for Ireland for their support for this project. I would also like to commend all those in WESTBIC and Aislann Chill Charthaigh Teo. for their work in the development of this Enterprise Centre and wish success to the two businesses located in Fiontarlann, at present. I believe that the Fiontarlann will be a focal point for the development of small business in the South West Gaeltacht.”

Each workspace within the new Incubation and Enterprise Centre is designed to facilitate the needs of ICT, Media, and companies from start-up and research and development stages through to development and expansion. The units range in size from 400 sq. ft. up to 1,000 sq. ft.

For further information, please contact: Eunan Cunningham 074 9738333 or ecunningham@westbic.ie

Cutting the tape: Left to right: Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, Chairman Údarás na Gaeltachta, Cllr Thomas Pringle, Dinny McGinley T.D, Cllr Brendan Byrne, Eunan Cunningham, WESTBIC, Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Denis Rooney, Chairman International Fund for Ireland, Chris Coughlan, Chairman WESTBIC, Paddy Harte, International Fund for Ireland and Pádraig Ó hAoláin, Údarás na Gaeltachta