SETU and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to advance rural enterprise and innovation
Under the partnership, SETU and DEC will collaborate to support entrepreneurs and enterprise communities to develop, test and scale new solutions, particularly in AgriTech and related sectors that are central to the region's economic and social fabric.
Professor Bill O'Gorman, chairperson of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, welcomed the collaboration.
'Within the EU and Ireland, as expressed in Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021–2025, there is an increased understanding nationally and internationally that rural development is integrally linked to policies across a wide range of areas including spatial planning, enterprise growth, job creation, social cohesion, community development, public services, communications infrastructure, agriculture, the marine, climate adaptation, tourism, heritage, health and leisure.'
Professor O'Gorman said that he sees strong synergy between what is know as the TU RISE Rural Enterprise Programme and the BECEE.
TU RISE stands for Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise, while BECEE stands for Balanced and Enhanced Collaboration for an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The latter is part-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Higher Education Initiative, in which DEC is a partner.
Brian Ogilvie, head of entrepreneurship and rural engagement at SETU, said: 'SETU is committed to working in partnership with enterprise centres and regional stakeholders to drive innovation and support vibrant rural communities.
'Through TU RISE, we are building capacity and infrastructure that enable entrepreneurs to thrive, and this new hub in Dungarvan will be a catalyst for collaborative research, technology adoption and enterprise growth.'
The TU RISE is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–27 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–27.
The programme supports the development of research capacity, knowledge transfer and enterprise engagement across the region. SETU said it 'looks forward to working with Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to co-design and deliver initiatives that will enhance innovation, skills and entrepreneurship, supporting sustainable economic development in Dungarvan, west Waterford and beyond.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Uber will give women in US a choice to only travel with other women - but no plans to do it in Ireland
UBER IS INTRODUCING a feature in some US cities that will enable women to ask to only be paired with drivers who are also women – but has no plans to bring the measure to Ireland. The ride-sharing company announced this week that it is piloting a feature called 'Women Preferences' in three US cities in the coming weeks. The function will allow women using the app – both passengers and drivers – to request to only be matched with other women on trips. The pilot will start with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit, with intentions to expand further across the US. Several dozen countries (Ireland isn't one of them) already have an option in the app for women drivers to request to only be paired with other women as passengers, but this will be the first time that passengers have the option. In a statement to The Journal , Uber said it does not currently plan to introduce the feature in Ireland. 'This is just a US product,' a spokesperson said. More choice. More control. Women told us they wanted the option to be matched with other women—and we listened. Now, after piloting these features in dozens of countries, we're bringing Women Preferences to the US. 🙋♀️ Riders can choose a woman driver 🚘 Drivers get more… — Uber (@Uber) July 23, 2025 Advertisement Other taxi apps operating in Ireland include Freenow and Bolt. Freenow is being acquired by Lyft, another taxi app, which has a similar feature in the US called Women+ Connect. In a statement to The Journal, Freenow Ireland General Manager, Danny O'Gorman said that Women+ Connect has been 'well received in the US' and it is 'currently evaluating whether and how similar features could be relevant for European markets'. 'Supporting passenger and driver safety is a key priority for Freenow, and we are committed to providing safe and reliable service to app users through safety features like 'Share your trip', which allows the trip to be shared with friends or family,' O'Gorman said. 'Taxi drivers in Ireland are regulated by the National Transport Authority and require full vetting by An Garda Síochána before obtaining their taxi licence,' he said. Bolt, which has a feature in some countries for passengers called 'Women for Women', said that it keeps the available locations under review but that there are barriers in the industry to growing the number of women working as taxi drivers. Kimberly Hurd, Bolt's Senior General Manager for Ireland, said: 'Safety is a top priority for Bolt, and we're always looking at new ways to support both passengers and drivers. We introduced a 'Women for Women' feature in several countries, which allows women passengers to request women drivers where available. 'While this feature is not currently available in Ireland, we're constantly reviewing where it could be rolled out next,' Hurd said, adding that Bolt has other in-app safety features like an emergency assist button. 'As a woman in the industry, increasing the diversity of drivers is a particular focus of mine. However, a major barrier to growing the number of women in the industry is the current regulatory environment,' she said. 'The cost of entering the market is high and the SPSV Driver Entry Test needs modernisation to better reflect today's technology and operating conditions. These issues need to be addressed if we're serious about improving diversity across the sector.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
SETU and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to advance rural enterprise and innovation
The partnership aims to strengthen enterprise development and innovation across Dungarvan and west Waterford. The agreement was formalised following the official opening of DEC's new facility at Fairlane, Dungarvan. Under the partnership, SETU and DEC will collaborate to support entrepreneurs and enterprise communities to develop, test and scale new solutions, particularly in AgriTech and related sectors that are central to the region's economic and social fabric. Professor Bill O'Gorman, chairperson of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, welcomed the collaboration. 'Within the EU and Ireland, as expressed in Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021–2025, there is an increased understanding nationally and internationally that rural development is integrally linked to policies across a wide range of areas including spatial planning, enterprise growth, job creation, social cohesion, community development, public services, communications infrastructure, agriculture, the marine, climate adaptation, tourism, heritage, health and leisure.' Professor O'Gorman said that he sees strong synergy between what is know as the TU RISE Rural Enterprise Programme and the BECEE. TU RISE stands for Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise, while BECEE stands for Balanced and Enhanced Collaboration for an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The latter is part-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Higher Education Initiative, in which DEC is a partner. Brian Ogilvie, head of entrepreneurship and rural engagement at SETU, said: 'SETU is committed to working in partnership with enterprise centres and regional stakeholders to drive innovation and support vibrant rural communities. 'Through TU RISE, we are building capacity and infrastructure that enable entrepreneurs to thrive, and this new hub in Dungarvan will be a catalyst for collaborative research, technology adoption and enterprise growth.' The TU RISE is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–27 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–27. The programme supports the development of research capacity, knowledge transfer and enterprise engagement across the region. SETU said it 'looks forward to working with Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to co-design and deliver initiatives that will enhance innovation, skills and entrepreneurship, supporting sustainable economic development in Dungarvan, west Waterford and beyond.'
Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Irish Times
Green Party leader calls on Government to retain funding of key climate projects
With Ireland struggling to meet its emissions reduction targets, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said the Government must retain funding of key climate projects flagged under the new Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF). As a revised National Development Plan (NDP) is finalised over the coming days, and combined with the ICNF, which is due to come into operation in 2026, Mr O'Gorman echoed concerns climate spending may be rolled back in the context of a tightening fiscal scenario. 'With recent information from the Environmental Protection Agency showing Ireland struggling to meet those targets, it is essential that the Government allocate every cent of this fund to climate measures,' he said. The last government agreed €3.15 billion would be spent under the ICNF over the next five years, including on energy efficiency and the scale-up of district heating. READ MORE Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien on Thursday announced Ireland's first dedicated development funding scheme for district heating, committing €5 million to support early-stage projects. It is designed to prepare 'qualifying projects for subsequent capital support through the NDP'. The Irish District Energy Association (IrDEA) welcomed the move as a critical milestone in the transition to low-carbon, locally produced heating systems. District heating systems use insulated piped networks to heat residential homes and public buildings and provide hot water. They provide cheap, clean energy – using excess heating from industry including data centres and waste-to-energy plants and are considered critical to decarbonising the built environment. 'This is a hugely significant step for sustainable heating in Ireland,' said IrDEA chief executive Pauline O'Reilly. 'Heating is the largest contributor to carbon emissions in the Irish energy sector. District heating can address this at scale by distributing clean, locally-sourced heat to residential, public and commercial buildings.' [ Two thirds of Irish households would benefit from low-cost district heating, study finds Opens in new window ] A range of interests from local authorities to utilities and private developers are working closely with anchor institutions such as hospitals and universities to develop viable district heating schemes, she said. 'This marks the first time in the history of the State that a national funding scheme has been created specifically to advance district heating.' IrDEA chairperson Dr David Connolly said: 'In time to come, this will be looked upon as a key ingredient to set the foundations of Ireland's newest utility, and one which has huge potential to decarbonise towns and cities across the country.' Without scale-up of district heating, 2030 climate targets would not be met, he added. The department has estimated between €2.7 billion and €4 billion is required to meet district heating targets set in 2023. 'District heating is an obvious measure to support – using waste heat from industrial processes to provide heating to public buildings and family homes,' Mr O'Gorman added. 'It will save people money, and lower our emissions. We see it working in a scheme in Tallaght already. But it does need start-up financial support to put in the pipe network to allow heat be shared.' [ Is this Government serious about climate action? We'll soon know Opens in new window ] Mr O'Brien said he was strongly supportive of district heating 'and the opportunity it presents to both decarbonise Ireland's built environment, improve heating systems and use excess heat from large energy users'. The Minister added: 'While the NDP remains under negotiation, it is my firm intention that funding will be available over the coming time period to support district heating. Furthermore, I am making funding available now to support district heating projects progressing through initial feasibility stages [and] have committed to enacting the Heat Bill to provide for a policy and legal framework.'
