Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if grant aid will be available to an organisation (details supplied) who propose to employ full time staff. [8793/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 35 City and County Enterprise Boards, CEBs, which were established nationally in 1993, provide a source of support for small businesses with ten or fewer employees. The function of the boards is to develop indigenous enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity at regional level. The boards provide a single point of contact at local level for new and established small businesses. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, enterprises may qualify for support from the CEBs primarily in the form of capital and feasibility grants. Direct financial intervention by a CEB in the form of employment grants is available in limited circumstances, is more selective and must be targeted at areas of greatest potential. However, regardless of the type of grant assistance being sought, priority must be given to projects in manufacturing or internationally-traded services which, in time, can graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. In addition, due regard must be given to issues of deadweight and displacement.

As well as direct forms of financial assistance, the CEBs deliver a comprehensive range of development and support programmes designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow. I would suggest that the person concerned should, in the first instance, make direct contact with North Cork County Enterprise Board, 26 Davis Street, Mallow, County Cork, telephone number 022 43235, fax number 022 43247, and explore what level of assistance, if any, would be available to them.