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

A couple of issues were raised there. First, I want to go back to the credit guarantee scheme. It is a priority of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to bring that in.

On the issue of entrepreneurship in education, the entrepreneurship strategy singled out very clearly six top priorities, of which education is one. It cannot just be addressed in second or third level; it has to start at primary level.

A proper strategy will be put in place. I am very interested in getting this correct at primary and secondary levels and in third level education as well because, as Deputy Calleary correctly stated, we want to develop a culture of entrepreneurship. One cannot merely teach it. It must be part of one's ecosystem and education as well. That is a key priority also.

There were two other key questions. Deputy Calleary mentioned the regional plans but he failed to mention the local enterprise offices, LEOs, which are doing great work. There is funding to continue the great work LEOs are doing and to increase and expand their services also.

Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, is also doing great work and encouraging more SMEs to get involved in the research community. That also brings me back to the knowledge patent box, or "knowledge box". There is an impression that the knowledge box is not for small Irish companies. That is completely untrue. Over 2,000 companies on a yearly basis avail of the research and development grant and they are well able to use the knowledge development box to add to what they offer and increase their products and services, and sales. That is to encourage start-ups.

We are very much focused on start-ups and supporting businesses. The supporting SMEs online tool goes through in detail the 80 different Government supports that are available. I keep stressing to companies that it is difficult to give financial supports to companies that compete with each other on the high street. This is why many supports are directed to companies which export, and that is what we are trying to do. The internationalising agenda is our major focus and most companies understand that now. However, there is a range of soft supports available to encourage those companies to grow. Even the online tool is available in that regard. There are many issues there.

There is a competitive fund set up under the regional plans. Local areas, counties or regions can come together to avail of and compete for those funds to be able to back up something that they are doing well locally. That is another major area that we will be funding.

See this speech in context