John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in Waterford city and county that have been approved for funding by the county and city enterprise boards in each of the past three years and to date in 2009; the amount of funding involved; the number of jobs created by this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46585/09]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the Waterford County and Waterford City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer 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 throughout Waterford City and County. The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial (grant) and non-financial (training, mentoring and a wide range of business advice activities) assistance to a project promoter. Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the CEBs and they continue to support enterprise development in the Waterford city and county areas ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at local level.

The figures requested by the Deputy are attached in tabular format below. It should be noted that figures quoted for 2009 are preliminary; final figures will be available early in 2010. In addition, figures are also included detailing CEB training participation which also helps to stimulate indigenous enterprise creation and accompanying job creation. The figures relating to net jobs existing in CEB-supported micro-enterprises are gathered in a CEB Job Survey each year. Relevant data for each of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 is attached in tabular format below. As figures are compiled on an annual basis, figures in respect of 2009 will not be available until early in 2010.

Whilst figures show a net decrease in job creation for the CEBs (cited reasons for this include business closures due to the economic downturn and other normal operational conditions such as restructuring and businesses being sold on), a number of CEBs across the CEB Network have reported a significant increase in the number of informal queries from members of the public in relation to setting up their own businesses over the last few months with many Boards providing additional Start Your Business Courses and increased levels of mentoring for owner managers who are experiencing trading difficulties in order to meet the demand out there.

**Preliminary figures as of early December 2009

Net Jobs Existing in CEB-supported companies (figures do not include job existing prior to CEB support)