David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the efforts he and bodies under the aegis of his Department, such as Enterprise Ireland and the South Cork County Enterprise Board, are making to support enterprise development and innovation, maximise entrepreneurial development and promote enterprise culture in Cobh, County Cork; the amount of grant support made available to local businesses and entrepreneurs in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in the Cobh area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2635/11]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the efforts he and bodies under the aegis of his Department, such as Enterprise Ireland and the South Cork County Enterprise Board, are making to support enterprise development and innovation, maximise entrepreneurial development and promote enterprise culture in Youghal, County Cork; the amount of grant support made available to local business and entrepreneurs in 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 in the Youghal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2634/11]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 101 together.

The critical role of entrepreneurship and enterprise development is fully recognised by Government. The complementary remit and activities of Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards ensure that as broad a suite as possible of State supports are available for entrepreneurial and enterprise development. Enterprise Ireland actively engages with other agencies in the promotion and support of initiatives which help maximise entrepreneurial development and promote an enterprise culture in Cork County. The agency's funding approvals to its client companies in Cork County totalled over €13.1 million in 2008, over €14.2 million in 2009, over €15.4 million in 2010 and €9,031 to date in 2011.

In Youghal, Enterprise Ireland is represented on the Socio Economic Development Group and a sub-committee of that group, the Youghal Employment Creation sub-group. Enterprise Ireland works closely with Community groups in the towns of East Cork including Youghal and Cobh to foster further embryonic enterprise and to encourage young graduates to set up businesses in their own localities.

In June 2006, Youghal was successful in their application for funding under the Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme and received approval of €150,000 towards the development of a new Community Enterprise Centre. Enterprise Ireland has also supported the funding of a Manager for the centre over a two-year period. Development of the centre, known as Enterprise Youghal, was completed in 2008. Enterprise Youghal actively continues to market the Centre, through the support of its centre manager.

Under the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme (2007 – 2009), Cobh received approval for the establishment of a Community Enterprise Centre. Enterprise Ireland is currently engaged with the group in Cobh who were responsible for securing the approval and future development of a Community Enterprise Centre in Cobh. A site has been identified, plans have been drawn up, costings have been done and a planning application is imminent.

The role of the County Enterprise Board in South Cork 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 the area, which is inclusive of Youghal and Cobh. South Cork County Enterprise Board grant assistance to eligible micro-enterprises was paid to the value of €430,001 in 2008 and €309,458 in 2009 to 38 projects, of which €77,500 was paid in 2008 and €50,000 was paid in 2009 to a total number of 7 projects in Youghal. As statistical information is collected on an annual basis, details in respect of figures for 2010 will become available during the first quarter of 2011.

South Cork County Enterprise Board assistance in the Youghal area has included support of an enterprise centre, direct grant support to eligible micro-enterprises, the promotion of enterprise related activities and of an enterprise culture in Youghal through networking and business development activities to attract new entrepreneurs from the area. Recent Board activities have included day-long clinics in Youghal for anybody wishing to drop-in to discuss their business ideas.

South Cork County Enterprise Board continues to support the micro-enterprise business sector in Cobh through the provision of grant assistance and soft supports in the form of training and mentoring programmes which can be tailored to the needs of individual entrepreneurs. In 2008, South Cork County Enterprise Board provided grant assistance of €75,000 to one client project situated in the Cobh area. The Board are currently pursuing an enterprise centre concept with the assistance of Cork County Council and the South and East Cork Area Development Partnership Limited. The Board also provides day-long clinics which facilitates local businesses and potential entrepreneurs to drop by and discuss their business needs and ideas.