Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the planned support unit in Enterprise Ireland would replace in part or in full the role of the county enterprise board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19943/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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One of the main recommendations of the 2004 Fitzpatricks Report was that the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) should be integrated into the mainstream enterprise development system by establishing a CEB Central Co-ordination Unit within Enterprise Ireland. This recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the Enterprise Strategy Group and approved by Government in 2005.

The role of the new Unit will be to provide a range of strategic, administrative, financial and technical supports to the CEBs with the ultimate objectives of enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the CEBs on the development of micro-enterprises in Ireland and of contributing to a greater level of consistency and best practice across the CEB network as a whole. The Unit will not replace in part or in full the role of the County Enterprise Boards.