Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are absolutely committed to the provision of a much better environment for small business and we believe that by integrating the capacity of the local authority with the enterprise boards, we can develop a quality service. As the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, pointed out, one element of that is a first-stop shop. There will be a place for people to go where they can get easy access to State supports across an entire range, including Revenue Commissioners for the seed capital scheme, the Department of Social Protection for back to enterprise and the Credit Review Office. They will have a seamless access at that first-stop shop. They will bring local authority support services to business into one location so there will be both local authority and others. We are building a network that will have service level agreements with Enterprise Ireland and, more importantly, there will be a centre of excellence within Enterprise Ireland designed to drive high quality interventions.

As the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, has already said and it was acknowledged by Deputy Calleary, we have introduced the new credit guarantee and microfinance. We want to make that information available through the local authorities within local authorities. As the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, said, I accept there is criticism. Some people claim these should not be located in local authorities. However, I believe this is a great opportunity for local authorities to demonstrate their commitment to small business in their region because focusing on small business will allow them rebuild their rate base and rebuild the prosperity of their area. We are absolutely committed to deliver this and deliver a quality service. We will go on the road to promote it, as the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, has done, in order to get the optimum service to business.

See this speech in context