Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is an area that concerns me and the Tánaiste. The establishment of Intreo offices has been very positive. The Department of Social Protection has moved from what might be termed a passive payment model to an activation model. Staff in Intreo offices are very linked in with local enterprise offices and other agencies to ensure that people who have business ideas get the support they need, whether through LEOs or SOLAS, to establish their businesses or test their ideas. Deputy Tóibín and I are on the same page regarding the view that a person's socioeconomic circumstances should never be a barrier to accessing business opportunities. There is an old adage that there is a good book in everyone, but I also consider that there is a good business idea in everyone, if it could only be brought out by those who can provide support and mentorship. There are start-your-own-business courses operated by Leader partnership companies and the back to work enterprise allowance is a further important initiative. We included particular measures in the last budget, including the start-up relief entrepreneurship scheme, which is very positive for those moving from the PAYE sector into their own businesses. Protocols have been established between the Department of Social Protection, LEOs and Enterprise Ireland to support people from lower-income backgrounds, particularly those moving from welfare to work, to help them establish their own businesses. Microfinance Ireland plays a significant role in assisting entrepreneurs who have difficulty accessing capital on foot of issues around collateral and helps them to set up their own businesses at a micro level.

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