Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the support and assistance available for new business start ups, and small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16595/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) can provide support to new business start-ups and micro-enterprises (i.e. small businesses with 10 employees or fewer). Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of Feasibility, Employment and Capital grants. All of the CEBs operate to the same criteria in relation to the assistance which they can offer i.e. they can support the establishment and/or the development of enterprises provided that the projects, which should generally be in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector, have the capacity to achieve commercial viability and which over time may develop into strong exporting entities. In addition, the CEBs deliver 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.

The CEBs also work to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. During 2009 they will continue to support enterprise development through the provision of both direct financial assistance (in the form of capital, feasibility and employment grants) and through indirect or "soft support" assistance, ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.