Mr. Leo Clancy:

There were many questions there. I might address some of the points and then hand over to my colleague, Dr. Gibbons, to comment on enterprise centres, which we fund. I might then hand over to Mr. McElwee on student entrepreneurship.

We are not a member of the Open Doors Initiative but we will look into whether becoming a part of it would be appropriate for us. We are supportive of diversity in all its forms. Like the Deputy, we acknowledge that it will be fundamental to the success of our citizens first and foremost, but also to the success of our businesses. Nearly every business I have spoken to has recognised that proactively and has not had to wait to be asked.

Broadband provision is improving. The national broadband plan will make a significant difference to residential and business broadband around the country. We look forward to it rolling out fully. Broadband presents a problem for companies in certain areas.

If it did not, the State would not be intervening in the way it is with the national broadband plan.

We have been extensively involved in procurement. We run our own programme called small business innovation research in conjunction with certain Departments and State bodies. That is something we have focused on. During the pandemic, we were heavily involved in helping Irish companies engage with the Health Service Executive and we found that to be a very positive engagement from the HSE's side as well. There is further and increased scope for public procurement relationships to be smoothed. As there is a willingness on all sides to make that happen, we are in a positive place in that regard.