Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if grants are available to unemployed persons seeking to set up businesses in the area of insulation and renewable energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4173/10]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 202: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants available to unemployed persons seeking to set up businesses in the area of insulation and renewable energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4176/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 202 together.

My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to 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.

However, in order to more fully explore the range of options that may be available, potential entrepreneurs 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.