Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress made regarding the commitment given in the renewed programme for Government to undertake an independent review of the effectiveness of State agency support for enterprise, including interaction between the Industrial Development Authority, Enterprise Ireland and county enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24337/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains committed to undertaking the review in question. However, work on a number of recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes concerning the enterprise development agencies is at an advanced stage and it clearly makes sense to complete this work before asking an independent group to commence the review. It will be important in that review, given the disruption that any significant restructuring of agencies inevitably entails and the major challenges facing the agencies in the years ahead, that care is taken to limit any proposed changes to those that are absolutely necessary to achieve clearly identified objectives.

Quite apart from the review, work to improve co-ordination between the enterprise development agencies is currently underway. In November 2009, a Cross-Agency High Level Group completed a report on Enhanced Agency Collaboration. The High Level Group is continuing to meet to monitor the implementation process which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Overall, there is a general need to strengthen information sharing between the agencies; to maintain a client centric focus – unhindered by agency boundaries where appropriate; and ultimately to ensure that a collaborative culture permeates throughout all levels of the organisations. The process has also identified pockets of existing effective collaboration activity, which is not necessarily pervasive, consistent, or recognised/rewarded. Implementation has been a core objective of the enhanced agency collaboration process and the High Level Group has already initiated, and in some cases completed, actions in areas such as communications, knowledge sharing, and transfer of clients.

There are a number of mechanisms already in situ that facilitate collaboration across the agencies. The powers and functions of each agency are set out in one body of legislation, the Industrial Development Acts. While IDA and Enterprise Ireland serve different client bases, they operate similar schemes and programmes. The specific role of each agency in relation to matters such as Science and Technology and Training is also set out in the legislation, which avoids overlaps or duplication in agency mandates.