John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 9 together.

The Government has approved the restructuring of the enterprise supports for the micro and small business sectors with a view to creating an enhanced national enterprise support model. This restructuring will include the creation of a small and micro business division within Enterprise Ireland with a new and enhanced focus on the wider small business sector, and the establishment of local enterprise offices, LEOs, to provide a "one-stop-shop" for small businesses within local authorities.

As agreed by the Government, the county enterprise boards will be dissolved in their current legal format and their functions, assets and liabilities transferred to Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is being mandated to work with the local authorities to develop benchmarks for service delivery and enterprise supports, as well as appropriate structures and delivery models for the local offices. In this regard, a detailed formal service level agreement will be put in place between Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, which will set out how the new enterprise support model will operate in practice. The existing staff of the county enterprise boards will be an integral part of the new arrangements.

There is much detailed work to be done to effect these changes. An implementation working group has been set up under the auspices of my Department to progress the matter. In conjunction with this, my Department is seeking formal advice from the Office of the Attorney General regarding appropriate legislation.

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