Dáil debates

Thursday, 10 July 2014

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions

Local Enterprise Offices Establishment

10:00 am

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Both I and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, as well as the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, have been all over the country visiting local authorities, and I have no doubt about what we have seen. They are totally committed to promoting entrepreneurship and self-help, and the LEOs are now a first-stop shop for those beginning a new business. The Deputy must remember that there has been a transformation in local authorities, with the executive officer taking over the role of county manager. They will deal with combined direct grants, mentoring and training, utilising local business expertise to evaluate projects, enhanced advice on signposting services, direct referral of clients to Enterprise Ireland, which is very important, and referral to supports from the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection, Microfinance Ireland, the Credit Review Office, Skillnets and education and training boards. Direct advice and guidance on local authority rates, procurement and regulation effects on business are also relevant. There will continue to be three types of grant available from LEOs, including priming and business expansion grants. The criteria for receipt of those grants will remain the same as county board criteria.

I have seen commitment from the local authorities in how they can they can help establish businesses. I have no doubt this process will be a big success story. There is a level of participation by local authority staff, and the locations of offices will help. They are not upstairs or in a back room but at the front of house in order to deal with clients, as the Deputy saw in Navan.

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