James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in the past 12 months by the Longford County Enterprise Board; the amounts allocated to support small business projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40735/10]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount of funding that will be paid out before the end of 2010 by Longford County Enterprise Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40737/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 266 together.

The role of Longford County Enterprise Board, as one of the thirty-five County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) throughout the country, is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the Board supports individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. Business growth, job creation and job retention are inherent considerations in the activities of the CEBs.

The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The forms of financial assistance which are available, subject to certain eligibility criteria, include Priming Grants, Expansion/ Development Grants and Feasibility/ Innovation Study Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks.

In 2010, Longford CEB received an Exchequer Capital Allocation of €315,909 for the provision of financial and non-financial supports to the micro-enterprise sector within the county. More recently this was supplemented by an additional allocation of €50,000, which was made available through savings made within my Department. It is expected that the Board's Total Capital Allocation will be fully expended by the end of the year.

Statistical information in relation to CEBs is collated on an annual basis; therefore final expenditure figures and net job figures existing in 2010 for Longford CEB will not be available until early 2011. However, in the most recent year for which job figures are available i.e. 2009, there were 745 net jobs existing in CEB supported enterprises across the county of Longford. During 2010 Longford CEB will continue to support enterprise development in this area through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at county level.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of jobs created in the past 12 months by the Westmeath County Enterprise Board; the amounts allocated to support small business projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40736/10]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the amount of funding that will be paid out before the end of 2010 by Westmeath County Enterprise Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40738/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 267 together.

The role of the Westmeath County Enterprise Board (CEB) is to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout Westmeath. Business growth and job creation are inherent considerations in the activities of the CEB. 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. The provision of non-financial assistance includes general Business Advice and Business Management Training as well as Mentoring and Networking opportunities.

In 2010, Westmeath CEB received an Exchequer Capital Allocation of €371,027 for the provision of financial and non-financial supports to the micro-enterprise sector within the county. More recently this was supplemented by an additional allocation of €122,089 was made available through savings made within my Department. It is expected that the Board's Total Capital Allocation will be fully exhausted by the end of the year.

Statistical information in relation to CEBs is collated on an annual basis; therefore final expenditure figures and net job figures existing in 2010 for Westmeath CEB will not be available until early 2011. However, in the most recent year for which job figures are available i.e. 2009, there were 1004.5 net jobs existing in CEB supported enterprises in the county of Westmeath. During 2010 Westmeath CEB will continue to support enterprise development in this area through the provision of both direct and indirect assistance and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development at county level.