Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1721: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if assistance is available under a PRSI scheme for employers looking to create a new position in their organisation or if there are any other schemes that help a small business create employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33407/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme is a scheme introduced by Government to act as a direct stimulus to job creation by giving employers a PRSI exemption for taking on new workers who have been unemployed for six months or more. Responsibility for the implementation of the scheme rests with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Eamonn Ó Cuiv and information in relation to the scheme is available from that Department.

The County Enterprise Boards provide support for micro-enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases, including both financial and non-financial assistance. 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. CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and can assist in the establishment, and/or development, of new and existing enterprises from individuals/sole traders, companies and community groups subject to the following eligibility criteria;

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;

the enterprise must not give rise to deadweight or displacement.

These supports include a priming grant available for business start-ups within the first 18 months, a Business Expansion/Development Grant available to micro-enterprises to help them grow and develop, a Feasibility/Innovation Grant available to micro-enterprises to assist with the cost of necessary pre-start up studies carried out for the purposes of assessing market interest for a proposed new product or service.

Additionally, Enterprise Ireland continues to support the growth of new and existing internationally trading Irish enterprises. A new Fund for Job Expansion has been launched by Enterprise Ireland, which will provide support of up to €150,000 to eligible clients taking on a development plan, which will increase employment. Three calls for this competitive have taken place to date with a further call scheduled for November 2010. The Fund will assist companies with regard to capital, technology acquisition, training, the recruitment of key managers, employment, and consultancy.