Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department or any of its agencies operate a grant system that an applicant seeking to commence a business (details supplied) can apply for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21572/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, through which assistance is delivered directly to businesses.

Kildare County Enterprise Board (CEB) provides a source of support to small businesses with 10 employees or fewer. Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEB in the form of feasibility, employment and capital grants. In addition, Kildare CEB delivers a range of non-financial supports to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow.

Kildare CEB does not operate a specific childcare scheme. However, any viable business proposal coming forward for the establishment of a commercial childcare enterprise will be assessed against its normal range of evaluation criteria. I would suggest that the person concerned should, in the first instance, make direct contact with Kildare CEB, The Woods, Clane, Co. Kildare (Tel. No. 045 861707) and explore what level of assistance, if any, may be available to them.