Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 7: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants, financial supports or other funding are available to a counselling agency (details supplied). [14921/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the auspices of my Department there are two ways in which Irish businesses can apply for financial support.

My Department's Agency, Enterprise Ireland offers a number of categories of funding included financial assistance for Irish companies starting up, as well as to help with growth, and research and development.

The 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), established by the Government in October 1993, to develop indigenous enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity at a local level and, primarily, the development of small and micro enterprises, may also provide grant assistance to micro-enterprises (10 employees maximum) in the start-up and expansion phases in manufacturing, tourism and services.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 8: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria by which Enterprise Ireland judges business to be innovative and therefore deserving of funding; if this criteria is overly restrictive in the current business environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14966/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Enterprise Ireland (EI) operates in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Development Acts, 1986-2003. This governing legislation sets out the powers and functions of EI as well as stipulations regarding grants and incentives. In this context and in line with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Enterprise Ireland Policy Statement 1998, there are a number of criteria with respect to eligibility for Enterprise Ireland support. Enterprise Ireland clients accordingly fall into three categories:

· Manufacturing and internationally traded services companies employing ten or more people (and with a focus on exporting);

· Innovation led start-ups with the potential to grow on international markets (and entrepreneurs with the ability to initiate projects that can compete in international markets); and

· Irish-based food and natural resource companies that are overseas owned or controlled.

Enterprise Ireland assesses applications for financial assistance according to a number of criteria in order to ensure value for money to the exchequer, utilising a range of mechanisms and criteria, including cost benefit modelling, commercial evaluation and technical assessment.

Enterprise Ireland offers a comprehensive selection of services, including financial and non-financial supports to companies with a business strategy that encompasses all elements required for business success, including:

· The "Innovative HPSU offer" to support the development of start-ups with a high potential for growth. Under this programme, Enterprise Ireland provides a financial contribution towards a company's business plan where it involves the development of innovative and technological products, services or processes.

· The Innovation Vouchers initiative, which stimulates the small business community to build links with the research community.

I am satisfied that Enterprise Ireland continues to support and drive investments in innovation and to act as an advocate for the benefits of such investments. Supports are tailored to eligible companies to ensure the most relevant support is offered to these companies.

I understand that neither my Department nor the Agencies under the aegis of my Department has had any direct contact with the particular agency referred to by the Deputy.