Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

In 2007, the Midlands and West Enterprise Programme, MWEP, was launched to support high growth entrepreneurs incubate their business ideas. The programme is run jointly between Athlone Institute of Technology and the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. Ten new entrepreneurs, a number of whom are from Longford, commenced incubating their businesses at Athlone Institute of Technology in April of this year, with the aim of developing sustainable export oriented businesses.

FÁS is providing a range of proactive job-related services, supports and programmes to assist individuals to return to the labour market. The €9.5 million allocation for FÁS announced in last month's budget, is specifically to fund additional initiatives to help those who have been made redundant.

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