Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 46: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the funding available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [27389/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. The CEB's unique role positions them as a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business. I would advise the promoter to contact their local CEB, the South Cork County Enterprise Board in the first instance to discuss what options may be available to him and his business. The Board is located at Unit 6a, South Ring Business Park. Phone No: 021 4975281 Fax No: 021 4975287 Email: enterprise@sceb.ie Website: www.sceb.ie

To be eligible for CEB grant support an enterprise must be in the commercial sphere, must demonstrate a market for the proposed product/service, must have a capacity for growth and new job creation and must not employ more than 10 people. CEBs can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The forms of financial assistance, which are available, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, include Priming Grants, Business Expansion/Development Grants, and Feasibility/Innovation Study Grants.

The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from a proposed enterprise. 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.