John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 282: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment why Kilkenny County Enterprise Board is informing clients whose projects have been approved in principle that formal letters cannot issue due to lack of funding from his Department; if this is the case throughout the country; the reason this is so at this time of year; his plans in regard to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13184/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over €30 million has been made available to fund the county and city enterprise boards in 2005 of which €17.714 million will be available for capital expenditure on direct grant aid and soft support measures to micro-enterprises across all 35 boards.

All boards were invited to submit their 2005 budget demands to my Department and following receipt and examination of those submissions 2005 budget allocations have been determined for the 35 boards. All boards have been informed of their individual allocations. Pending the determination of 2005 allocations each board received an interim payment to meet immediate costs.

In determining the 2005 allocations my Department has adopted a systematic approach to ensure the maximum degree of objectivity and equity of treatment. This approach involved the provision of a basic allocation to each board as well as an additional allocation determined by other factors such as unemployment, capacity to spend, existing commitments and regional spread.

The programme budget approved for Kilkenny County Enterprise Board is over 9% higher than the allocation provided in 2004. This increase will enable Kilkenny County Enterprise Board to maximise entrepreneurial development in the micro-enterprise sector throughout the county in 2005.