Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if grant assistance is available from his Department or agencies attached to his Department for a start-up company intending to provide telephone and information technology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10213/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of grant assistance for individual companies is a matter for the development agency or body concerned, and not one in which I have a direct function.

Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for Irish companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, which includes telephone and information technology services. Enterprise Ireland supports companies employing ten or more people and start-up companies with the potential to employ ten or more people and reach or exceed €1 million in exports over three years.

The county enterprise boards have responsibility for companies that employ fewer than ten people, and provide a range of supports to companies that fall within their remit.

Enterprise Ireland operates under policy directions given by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or as specified by the Enterprise Ireland board. The key focus of Enterprise Ireland's policy is to work with indigenous companies which have the potential to develop sustainable export sales, and to qualify for support a company should demonstrate clear potential to do so. All projects have to be commercially viable and must be supported by a business plan. Every business development plan is considered on its individual merits.

Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of supports for high-potential start-up companies, HPSUs. As part of its new strategy launched in May last year, Enterprise Ireland works more intensively with HPSUs at their initial start-up phase to accelerate their growth. Enterprise Ireland provides financial support to such client companies and assists them to build management capability and access Enterprise Ireland-supported seed and venture capital funding. In addition, Enterprise Ireland provides business advice and mentoring and assists HPSUs through its overseas network to develop their exports.

Enterprise Ireland's range of supports for companies includes strategy development, production and operations, marketing, human resources development, finance and research and development. In addition, a wide range of support and knowledge is provided by specialists in Enterprise Ireland offices in Dublin and through its 33 offices worldwide. That independent support involves a range of services, including identifying new opportunities, providing market and technical information and promoting clients in Ireland and overseas.