Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received a detailed proposal from an organisation (details supplied) setting out a three year road map that would considerably enhance the existing enterprise education programme which is at the core of the work of the organisation; if he has evaluated the benefit of the proposals; his views on the pioneering work the provision of education for enterprise which the organisation has made; his further views on whether, in addition to the subventions which the Department of Education and Science gives generally to the promotion of business education, his Department should provide net additional funding to enable the organisation to implement their three year road map. [20380/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I met recently with a representative of the organisation concerned and she gave me a detailed presentation on the work and objectives of Junior Achievement and on the future planned activities and development of the organisation. I would like to acknowledge the good work done by Junior Achievement to date in the area of enterprise education. My Department has already provided some funding to this organization through the Department's integrated science awareness programme the "Discover Science and Engineering Programme".

State funding for enterprise promotion, including the promotion of enterprise within the education system, is primarily channelled through the relevant State Agencies. The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have a well-established role in the delivery of enterprise education. As part of their enterprise promotion activities the CEBs support teachers in the delivery of enterprise programmes designed to give students practical experience of setting up and running their own business. The annual Student Enterprise Awards (SEA) scheme, organised by the CEBs, involves some 10,000 second-level students each year. The activities of the CEBs in this area already represent a considerable commitment of resources and expenditure of public funds.

The Report of the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) acknowledged the important role of education and training in contributing to the future strong economic development of this country and outlined a recommended approach to enterprise education. The conclusions of the ESG were largely reiterated in the Report of the Small Business Forum that I received recently. I have asked my Department, in consultation with the Department of Education and Science, to examine the arrangements for delivery of enterprise education taking account of the recommendations contained in these reports. The proposals from Junior Achievement Ireland will be borne in mind in the context of this exercise.