Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Ireland is one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world and never has this spirit been more important. The growth and development of small Irish businesses, is central to economic recovery and it is essential that Irish enterprises continue to be supported.

My priority is to ensure that the business environment is supportive of enterprise and encourages growth in all areas of the economy including entrepreneurs in both the start-up and development phases. We are driving change across a range of policy areas, from the costs of doing business, regulation to research and development and innovation, skills and tax incentives. These all combine to foster an environment that supports entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

The complementary remit and activities of both Enterprise Ireland and the CEBs ensure that as broad a suite as possible of State supports are available to start-ups in Ireland. The CEBs assist micro-enterprises and are to the forefront in supporting viable business start-ups which can generate job creation at a local level. The level of activity across the entire CEB network has continued to increase during the downturn in the economy. This activity includes direct grant aid to businesses and project promoters and provision of a range of other important business supports such as mentoring, business training and business advice all of which help to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation.

Since 2004, the CEBs have supported more than 3,000 greenfield start up companies with an initial job count of more than 4,000. In addition, Enterprise Ireland supported 73 new high potential start-up companies in 2009. These companies are poised to create 900 jobs over the next three years and no doubt more in future years. We are increasing funding so that, by 2016, we will support 100 high potential start-ups each year.

In the past decade, the Government has made significant investment in developing the broader environment for start-ups. This has included substantial investment in incubators, seed and venture funds, angel networks and mentors. Enterprise Ireland also support community enterprise centres which provide a range of facilities for entrepreneurs. The establishment of Innovation Fund Ireland is further evidence of the Government's continued commitment to supporting start up companies in Ireland.

The Government has also extended the three-year corporate and capital tax exemption for new start-up companies in 2010. Firms benefit from a tax exemption for the first three years of trading. All of these measures combine to provide an environment that supports entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

See this speech in context