Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to review the eligibility criteria for funding from county enterprise boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13753/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The city and county enterprise boards, CEBs, can assist the establishment and-or development of eligible new and existing enterprises, from individuals-sole traders, companies and community groups, in the traded services, manufacturing and tourism sectors. In order to be eligible for such support projects must be in the commercial sphere, demonstrate a market for the product-service and, most importantly, have a capacity for growth and new job creation.

CEBs give priority to projects in manufacturing or internationally traded services which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio and tourism projects aimed predominantly at overseas visitors. In addition, they may support locally provided services promoted by the unemployed and those recently made redundant, and women re-entering the workforce, provided the projects supported do not give rise to concerns about dead-weight or displacement.

A recent review of the CEBs, conducted by Fitzpatricks Associates, largely endorsed the role of the boards, including the existing eligibility criteria, though it did recommend, inter alia, a greater focus on the core enterprise and enterprise culture mission. I am currently considering the implications of this report.