Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide additional funding to efficient county enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23462/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In determining the allocations for individual city and county enterprise boards in 2004, my Department adopted a systematic approach to ensure the maximum degree of objectivity and equity of treatment. This approach involved the provision of funding calculated on the basis of a standard allocation to each board as well as an additional allocation determined mainly by population but which also took account of issues such as unemployment, capacity to spend, existing commitments and regional spread. My Department is reviewing the level of funding available for the current year with a view to identifying any funds which individual boards may not be in a position to spend this year and reallocating them to boards which indicate a capacity to utilise additional funding this year in accordance with normal practice.

In conjunction with the county enterprise boards, my Department monitors on an ongoing basis the level of service provided by the boards to their client base. A formal procedures manual and an operating agreement are in place between the Department and the boards aimed to provide a standardised delivery of services by county enterprise boards across the country.