Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recommencing the enterprise development programme to assist newly redundant persons to set up their own business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2815/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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State assistance to small businesses in Ireland is provided through a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses.

Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing micro-enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of priming, expansion/development and feasibility/innovation grants. 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. 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 have the capacity to achieve commercial viability and which over time may develop into strong exporting entities.

In order to more fully explore the range of options that may be available, individuals are advised to contact their local CEB to discuss their business needs with the relevant staff of the Board. Contact details for individual CEBs can be found by accessing the following website: www.enterpriseboards.ie.