Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding provided to a county enterprise board (details supplied) in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008;the funding allocated in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4718/09]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The role of Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) is to provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. The CEB deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.

The Board provides a single point of contact at local level for new and established small businesses. All areas of the country are served by and benefit from, the full range of Enterprise Board grant supports and entrepreneurial development programmes. Subject to certain eligibility criteria enterprises may access assistance and support from the CEB. The forms of financial assistance which are available, subject to certain restrictions, include Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility Study Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks.

In 2009 the CEB will continue to be actively involved in the area of economic development and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development. This will be done not just by direct grant aid to businesses and project promoters but also through the provision of a range of other important business supports such as mentoring, business training and business advice all of which help to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation.

The Capital Allocation for the 35 CEBs under the 2009 Estimates Process stands at €20.8m; allocation of the individual budgets to each of the 35 CEBs for 2009 is currently being progressed by the CEB Central Coordination Unit (CCU) within Enterprise Ireland. The precise statistical information sought by the Deputy for 2006, 2006 and 2008 is set out in the attached table.