Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if he has any new proposals to encourage the start up of small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2543/11]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Within my area of responsibility my priority is to ensure that the business environment in Ireland continues to be supportive of enterprise and export growth, and encourages growth in all areas of the economy including entrepreneurs in both the start-up and development phases. The State directly assists both start-ups and developing small and medium enterprises via the supports offered by the enterprise Agencies.

The County and City Enterprise Boards are the primary initial contact point for business start-ups in Ireland. The CEBs can assist micro-enterprises i.e. businesses with 10 employees or fewer and are to the forefront in supporting viable business start-ups and in assisting the development of growth-orientated micro-enterprises which can generate job creation at a local level and which, over time, can develop into strong export entities and transfer to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.

The priorities for the CEBs are to assist people wishing to start their own business and also to assist existing owner/managers in enhancing the survival and sustainability of their businesses in these difficult economic times. The forms of financial assistance, which are available, subject to certain eligibility criteria, include Priming Grants, Business Expansion &Development Grants and Feasibility Study Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education and Women in Business networks. Training courses include such topics as start-your-own-business, taxation for beginners, internet marketing, ideas generation and negotiation skills. These "soft supports" contribute enormously to people wishing to start their own business with an appropriate set of business skills and also contribute positively to the wider policy objective of building an enterprise culture, which over time, results in job creation and sustainable businesses.

In addition to funding the activities of the County Enterprise Boards my Department also funds Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland's remit covers the stimulation and development of start-ups that have the potential to employ more than 10 people and to achieve €1 million in exports. Such start-ups are typically highly innovative and are in a position to sell globally from their earliest stage.

Under the auspices of Enterprise Ireland the Government has invested significantly in the broader environment for business start-ups including investment in incubators, seed and venture funds, angel networks and mentors in addition to specific funding for High Potential Start Ups through the Innovative HPSU funding offer. In addition to supporting HPSUs Enterprise Ireland provides support to Community Enterprise Centres (CECs). The CECs provide a range of facilities that enable entrepreneurs to establish new businesses, provide employment and grow their businesses in their own locality.

The complementary remit and activities of both Enterprise Ireland and the CEBs ensure that as broad a suite as possible of State supports are available to start-ups in Ireland. I would encourage anyone interested in starting their own business to make contact with their local CEB in the first instance for appropriate advice and assistance and onward referral to Enterprise Ireland where relevant. My belief is that the supports offered by the CEBs and Enterprise Ireland should be as seamless as possible and should facilitate further the transition from an innovative micro start-up to a high-potential exporting SME. I am examining ways in which this might best be achieved and will shortly be bringing a Memorandum to the Government in this regard.