An additional €6 million in funding is being made available to emerging technology and science companies in the South.

Enterprise Ireland and Enterprise Equity Venture Capital Company are each pumping in €3 million to a fund set to developing business in the regions.

The fresh funding brings the total amount available for investment to €22 million.

Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheàl Martin said the fund was extending its remit of the Border, Midland and Western regions to include the South-West region. "This expansion offers new and existing companies in the South-West region an important new source of potential capital and I would strongly encourage firms to explore this investment option".