Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work of the LEOs and of an t-údarás in supporting local businesses, whether through training courses on starting your own business and the mentoring the Minister outlined or through various other advice and support services. However, many of these smaller businesses face issues. For example, Conor wanted to have a three-phase power supply installed in a workshop. A panel beater serving a local community needed a paint shop. A hairdresser and beauty salon needed to get a lot of capital equipment to get up and running in the beginning. These businesses face capital costs. They are ratepayers and provide services locally to a huge community. Supporting them with capital equipment to get them up and running is very important. The advice is useful but it is also about help in dealing with initial and ongoing costs. Has the Minister looked at ways of supporting businesses in that regard? I acknowledge the new national hub and the funding the Minister has outlined. Will that funding be steered towards those kinds of needs to support those kinds of companies in getting operational?

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