Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason he has refused funding to a group (details supplied); if he will review this decision and provide funding for the important work this group carries out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18607/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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State funding for enterprise promotion at all levels is primarily channelled through the relevant State Agencies. The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), funded by my Department, already have a well established role in the delivery of a wide range of enterprise education initiatives as part of their role in promoting and developing indigenous micro-enterprise potential and stimulating economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. At present the CEBs are exploring ways in which they can expand and deepen their involvement in enterprise education activities at both national and local level. While the group concerned has previously sought a financial contribution from my Department in order to expand their operations in the area of enterprise education, I would suggest that the group liaise with the CEBs in relation to the possibility of working with the Boards in the delivery of enterprise education programmes.

I should add that Junior Achievement Ireland is already in receipt of funding from my Department in the context of the Discover Science and Engineering awareness programme. In 2007 Discover Science and Engineering has approved sponsorship of €36,000 toward Junior Achievement's "Science Challenge" initiative. Of this amount €18,000 has been paid out and it is anticipated that the balance will be paid in the near future on receipt of a satisfactory report and evaluation of the project.