Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to extending the enterprise development programme to the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4081/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The enterprise development programme is a new programme set up in association with the Líonra network of third-level institutions, Athlone IT, GMIT, Sligo IT, Letterkenny IT, NUI Galway and St. Angela's College. This programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, is based on the enterprise platform programme already in place in the south east. The aim of the enterprise development programme is to increase the number of start-up businesses in the midlands, west and north-west regions by providing a tailored programme of supports to assist eligible participants to develop business ideas which can be spun out as knowledge-based companies to provide jobs and export sales.

The south-east enterprise platform programme is run at the Waterford Institute of Technology, with support from Tipperary Institute, Enterprise Ireland and the county and city enterprise boards. In the 2004-05 programme, six of the 25 graduates were funded by Enterprise Ireland. The 2005-06 programme commenced on 19 September 2005 with 20 candidates participating in the programme, six of which have been approved for Enterprise Ireland support to date. Graduates are expected to go on to set up new businesses in the region following the programme.

The enterprise platform programme is a one-year rapid incubation programme designed to provide hands-on support and management development for entrepreneurs who wish to start their own business. Enterprise Ireland is a partner with the Department of Education and Science and the colleges in this initiative. It provides funding, under its business development grant under the Enterprise Ireland campus enterprise commercialisation fund, for eligible participants to attend the programme and develop business ideas which can be spun out as knowledge-based companies to provide jobs and export sales.