Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 13 and 23 together.

The county and city enterprise boards, CEBs, receive an Exchequer capital allocation each year towards the provision of grants and soft supports to the micro-enterprise sector. Within this, individual capital allocations are made by the CEB central co-ordination unit, CCU, in Enterprise Ireland. A systematic approach is adopted to ensure objectivity and equity of treatment across the CEBs and determinants include local unemployment rates and trends, population, capacity to spend, existing commitments and regional spread.

The mid-year budget review is a routine budgetary exercise carried out by the CCU to monitor expenditure by the CEBs. This review is due for completion by the end of July. Its purpose is to identify any potential underspend and ensure that the CEBs' allocated funding is utilised to the maximum extent possible.

To enhance the service to small businesses at local level, the Government has decided to create a new small business unit within Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland will work with local authorities to establish a new network of local enterprise offices, LEOs, in each local authority to act as a one-stop-shop for micro-enterprise and small business. The service will be provided in local authorities and a formal service level agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities will be put in place. In time, synergies will be achieved in terms of a more streamlined model for the delivery of enterprise supports and interventions to the micro-enterprise sector. Some savings on current expenditure are envisaged in the medium term, for example, on reduced accommodation and administrative costs.

The aim is to provide a seamless and effective service that is of a high standard, supports local businesses and facilitates job creation. Primary legislation will be required and my Department is in contact with the Attorney General in this regard. An implementation group has been established under the chairmanship of my Department. It will develop an implementation plan with timelines and milestones for delivery of the new structure.

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