Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 32 - Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Chapter 6 - Covid-19 Restart Grant Schemes

9:30 am

Dr. Orlaigh Quinn:

Local enterprise offices recently came in to meet the management board and we went through their annual performance, as we do regularly with all our agencies. I take my hat off to them. They worked fantastically. At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a proposal to take them out because it was thought they would not be needed. I think all present are aware we fought very hard to make sure they stayed where they were. I refer to the relationship and, as the Vice Chairman stated, how we approach this matter.

We are always keen to blend and make sure that the LEOs are closely aligned with Enterprise Ireland, which they are. We are keen to grow that and make sure that it is successful. We have seen 130 companies transfer from LEOs to Enterprise Ireland. We are trying to make sure that there is a seamless approach. People start small, locally, but then have the capacity to grow and scale. Our approach is-----