Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of new start-up businesses on a county enterprise board basis; and the initial numbers employed in these start-ups in each of the past five years. [31268/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to support the micro-enterprise sector (i.e. businesses with 10 employees or less) in the start-up and expansion phases and to promote entrepreneurship at local level. Business growth, job creation and job retention are central to the activities of the CEBs. The CEBs provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The forms of financial assistance that are available, subject to certain eligibility criteria, include Priming Grants, Expansion/Development Grants and Feasibility Grants. Non-financial assistance includes general Business Advice and Business Management Training as well as Mentoring and Networking opportunities.

Statistical information on the number of new start up businesses and the initial numbers employed in these start-ups in each of the past five years is set out in the following table. A "Greenfield" start up is defined as a company with no previous history of State assistance and/or at a very early stage of start up. The numbers employed in these start ups are the numbers employed by the business at the time of the first Employment Survey conducted by the relevant CEB following the start up of the business.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of employees, administrative budget and total grant payment in the most recent year for which figures are available on a county enterprise board basis; and the way these have changed in the past five years. [31269/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards is to support the micro-enterprise sector (business not employing more than 10 people) in the start-up and expansion phases, to develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate entrepreneurship at local level. Subject to 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.

Statistical information in relation to CEBs is collated annually. Information for the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is set out in the following tables for each of the CEBs. In relation to the numbers employed by each CEB it should be noted that the basic staff complement in respect of each CEB is one Chief Executive Officer, one Assistant Chief Executive Officer, one Business Advisor and one Clerical/Administrative Officer (although some of the larger CEBs have more than one Clerical/Administrative Officer). Prior to the moratorium on public sector recruitment/promotion some CEBs would have employed additional staff on a contract basis to deliver specific time bound Programmes to the micro-enterprise sector. However since the introduction of the moratorium any contracts that have come to an end have not been renewed. In addition a number of permanent posts have become vacant and remain unfilled. At this stage there are 133 (whole time equivalents) staff employed across the CEB Network.

The levels of Capital expenditure, both Grant expenditure and expenditure on Soft Supports e.g. business training courses, mentoring programmes, business networks etc, by the CEBs, for the last five years, are also set out in the following tables. Capital expenditure by the CEBs is primarily funded by the Exchequer but is supplemented by a small amount of own income.

2009

2008

Cork North CEB piloted a move from Measure 1 Grant Aid to an interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme in 2000. In conjunction with the Credit Unions in the area, Cork North CEB operated an Interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme under which the CEB client was provided with a Credit Union loan in respect of eligible capital costs but the CEB, by way of contribution/assistance towards the client project covered the interest charges arising. The

CEB implemented this form of assistance as a move away from direct financial assistance to softer forms of support such as mentoring and training. In 2008/2009 the Board re-evaluated local needs and requirements and in 2009 returned to direct grant-support/issue.

2007

Cork North CEB piloted a move from Measure 1 Grant Aid to an interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme in 2000. In conjunction with the Credit Unions in the area, Cork North CEB operated an Interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme under which the CEB client was provided with a Credit Union loan in respect of eligible capital costs but the CEB, by way of contribution/assistance towards the client project covered the interest charges arising. The

CEB implemented this form of assistance as a move away from direct financial assistance to softer forms of support such as mentoring and training. In 2008/2009 the Board re-evaluated local needs and requirements and in 2009 returned to direct grant-support/issue.

2006

Cork North CEB piloted a move from Measure 1 Grant Aid to an interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme in 2000. In conjunction with the Credit Unions in the area, Cork North CEB operated an Interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme under which the CEB client was provided with a Credit Union loan in respect of eligible capital costs but the CEB, by way of contribution/assistance towards the client project covered the interest charges arising. The

CEB implemented this form of assistance as a move away from direct financial assistance to softer forms of support such as mentoring and training. In 2008/2009 the Board re-evaluated local needs and requirements and in 2009 returned to direct grant-support/issue.

2005

Cork North CEB piloted a move from Measure 1 Grant Aid to an interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme in 2000. In conjunction with the Credit Unions in the area, Cork North CEB operated an Interest Paid Small Business Loan Scheme under which the CEB client was provided with a Credit Union loan in respect of eligible capital costs but the CEB, by way of contribution/assistance towards the client project covered the interest charges arising. The

CEB implemented this form of assistance as a move away from direct financial assistance to softer forms of support such as mentoring and training. In 2008/2009 the Board re-evaluated local needs and requirements and in 2009 returned to direct grant-support/issue.