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

If Deputy Fitzmaurice wants to draw to our attention a specific office where he is having difficulty, we will look at that situation.

By establishing the local enterprise office, we sought to forge a partnership with the local authorities. The local authorities are one of the most powerful influences in the local area. They have access to property solutions. They provide the environment for many of the business supports, and the planning rules. They are a powerful ally.

Through the local enterprise office, one has access to mentoring support, start-up supports and access to the Revenue Commissioners, who provide seed capital tax relief for people who were PAYE officers. A range of supports is available. If people are experiencing difficulty at local level, the Deputy should by all means draw matters to our attention and we will seek to rectify them. We are trying to ensure there is a network in place in order that anyone who wants to start a business can get access to the support mechanism.

Microfinance is now being run through the local enterprise office and the take-up of that has doubled in the past 12 months. Some of the new initiatives that are being rolled out to new businesses are having an impact.

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