Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity to speak about this important Bill, the purpose of which is to reform the system of delivery of State supports to micro or small enterprises. We are all agreed that some reform is required in this area and various models for achieving this have been put forward in the past few years. While I was in opposition, this issue was discussed several times. We have had significant debate and discussion on the issue during the years, in committee and the Dáil and through the various business organisations. As a result, the solution in the Bill has been developed and it proposes to create a new enhanced support model to be delivered at local level through the local enterprise offices, LEOs.

The key issue for me is that we keep the term "local" as part of the model. The change being made involves dissolving the local enterprise boards which have been successful. Therefore, it is important that the new structure of the LEOs remain local. I firmly believe the local connection we had in the enterprise boards was a real driver in assisting business people and entrepreneurs and believe this can and will be extended under the new LEO structure. In my county of Meath the expertise and local knowledge built up over many years can be transferred to the new arrangement. I have no doubt that the excellent team built up in County Meath, under the CEO, Mr. Hugh Reilly, which has delivered jobs for the county will continue to lead and deliver in the new structure which will receive clear guidance from Enterprise Ireland which will be involved in the setting up of the structure with the local authorities.

I served on the county enterprise board in Meath from 1999 to 2004 and saw at first hand the great work done at that level. I also saw at first hand how local businesses valued the board's services and input, be it advice, mentoring, guidance, networking or financial assistance. The board gave many promoters of viable business plans the confidence to go and develop a business from what they were good at. Many entrepreneurs come up with great ideas and business plans, but they often lack the business know-how to make their business happen, drive it forward and create jobs. The role of the enterprise boards was to provide assistance and expertise. This work will continue through the new LEO structure, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and the county councils.

For many years many representative bodies of small firms have been calling for something such as a one-stop-shop to tackle the issue of providing business supports, whether it be mentoring, financial assistance or anything else. We now have this. I understand the change is difficult for many staff of the enterprise boards because they believe their boards were doing it right. I agree that they were, but the new structure is an opportunity to enhance and improve on what we had. I have heard concerns expressed that the pro-enterprise image of enterprise boards could be swallowed up by the county councils or be lost. However, I see this as an opportunity to make county councils pro-enterprise and drive the change needed.

Job creation and new business start-ups are everyone's business, not just that of enterprise boards. They are the business of local authorities and every Department. The Government's Action Plan for Jobs recognises this and that it is the business of every Department to help to create jobs and an environment in which jobs will be created. That is what is being done with the Bill. We are creating a new structure that will pull together Enterprise Ireland, the enterprise boards, local authorities and so on into a one-stop-shop that will serve people with ideas to create jobs, a new start-up or grow an existing business. All the advice, support, mentoring, etc. required will be available in this one-stop-shop. That is what is needed and I welcome it. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, and his colleagues, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, for bringing forward the Bill and making this happen. I understand there are some issues to be ironed out, but everything is coming together.

I welcome the clarification provided regarding what will happen in April when the new offices are up and running. I also welcome the confirmation that there will be more funding, staff and services in each local authority for enterprise. Additional funding is being provided in 2014. I also welcome the new graduate recruitment programme which will help to supplement the already dedicated staff in enterprise boards and local authorities. The new system will combine new supports for businesses currently delivered by county enterprise boards with those being provided by local authorities in the first-stop-shop under the direction of Enterprise Ireland.

Some Deputies referred to the fact that some companies fell through the cracks. As I have seen, many companies did not fit the criteria to receive support from an enterprise board, but neither did they fit the criteria to receive support from Enterprise Ireland. For too long, thousands of companies have missed out on the guidance, advice and mentoring they need to help to drive their businesses, which is a shame. Now, thanks to the Government, this problem is being fixed and these supports will be available to all those companies that need or want help to start or grow.

I welcome the new funding for young entrepreneurships to try to drive the concept of entrepreneurship among young people. It is also welcome that each LEO will be required to draw up a plan and set targets to boost local enterprise. For too long, we did not set targets, but now we will have them. I know some have concerns and doubts about this legislation, but I see the change being made as positive, one which will result in more start-ups and jobs in the future.

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