Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 69: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support a matter (details supplied). [8188/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Financial and non-financial assistance for small businesses and services in Ireland is delivered by a large number of bodies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) (www.enterpriseboards.ie), Enterprise Ireland (www.enterprise-ireland.com) and FÁS (www.fas.ie). While this Department does not provide direct funding to business or start-ups it does provide funding to the various enterprise agencies. In the absence of specific details on the nature of the plan, I have set out below the role of the County and City Enterprise Boards and that of Enterprise Ireland. The individual concerned should, in the first instance, contact their local enterprise board, who will then advise how best to proceed further with their venture and in the event of not being able to assist them will re-direct them as appropriate.

County and City Enterprise Boards

The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were set up in 1993 to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer (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 CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.

The forms of financial assistance which are available from the CEB network, subject to certain criteria, 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.

CEBs may provide grant assistance to micro-enterprises (10 employees maximum) in the start-up and expansion phases in manufacturing, tourism and services, provided the promoter can demonstrate that the project:

is commercially viable;

will not displace jobs elsewhere in the economy;

will focus upon new initiatives in fields where they can best fill gaps rather than duplicate provision;

will involve the creation of sustainable employment;

requires grant assistance to enable the project to develop. However, Boards are required to give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.

Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland has primary responsibility for Irish companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It supports companies employing 10 or more people and start-up companies which have the potential to employ 10 or more people and reach or exceed €1m in exports over three years. Encouraging and supporting innovation-led high potential start-up companies (HPSUs) with an export focus is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland and is fundamental to building the next generation of world-class Irish companies. Enterprise Ireland offers a wide range of services, including financial and non-financial supports to companies with a business strategy that encompasses all elements required for business success.

BASIS Website

For information on the types of assistance available to businesses in Ireland the Deputy may also wish to contact the BASIS (Business Access to State Information and Services) Initiative (www.basis.ie) (Tel No: 01-6312787), which is administered by this Department. The aim of the BASIS website is to deliver information on Government services to business.