Written answers

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

County Enterprise Boards

8:00 pm

Photo of John CreganJohn Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on allowing some discretion to the county enterprise boards in order that applications for grant aid from persons wishing to start up their own businesses, where such applications refer to grant aid for commercial vehicles and or mechanically propelled agricultural vehicles, could be considered favourably. [12918/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have primary responsibility for the delivery of State support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector i.e. businesses which employ 10 or less workers. The CEBs, through both financial and non-financial assistance, support the sector in the start-up and expansion phases and facilitate entrepreneurial activity at local level. There are three types of grant-aid available from the CEBs; - Priming Grants - Business Expansion Grants - Feasibility/Innovation Grants A Priming Grant is a start-up grant available to micro enterprises within the first 18 months of start-up. A Business Expansion/Development Grant is available to further grow a micro enterprise while a Feasibility/Innovation Grant is available to assist micro-enterprises with the cost of pre-start up studies carried out to assess demand for a new product or service, the appropriateness of funding plans and the general viability of the venture. The criteria under which funding is available from the CEBs is based on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size or proposed size of the enterprise. · the enterprise must be in the commercial sphere · the enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service · the enterprise must have a capacity for growth and new job creation · the enterprise must not employ more than 10 people · priority must be given to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector which can develop into strong export entities · it is considered inappropriate to support businesses in sectors such as retail, personal services, professional services and construction etc as these generally give rise to unacceptable deadweight and/or displacement within a local area.

While the range of expenditure which is regarded as eligible expenditure for grant-aid excludes the purchase of mobile assets such as commercial vehicles it is, none the less, quite a considerable range including the following; · Capital items including fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs · Salary costs for first year of employment · Rental/Accommodation costs for first year of the project · Utility costs including installation costs for telephone & broadband · Marketing costs including packaging, brochures, trade fairs, website design and development, patent fees and other marketing initiatives · Consultancy costs including design fees, architect, accountant and legal fees · Business training costs for key Personnel central to the growth of the business · Some miscellaneous costs relating specifically to Feasibility/Innovation Grants I am confident that the current mix of grant types, the criteria underlying these grant types, and the broad range of eligible expenditure ensures that a significant number of viable start-up and existing micro-enterprises can access significant levels of financial assistance from the CEBs.

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