Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to help self-employed persons struggling in this economic recession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5831/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In the current economic climate entrepreneurship, and the growth and development of small Irish businesses, is central to economic recovery, and it is essential that Irish enterprises continue to be supported.

The Programme for Government includes a number of key issues to assist SMEs in the current environment and we are committed to introducing a Jobs Fund within the first 100 days. This Fund will contain a number of measures to support our SMEs. We have committed to:

· Cut the 13.5 per cent rate of VAT to 12 per cent up to the end of 2013.

· Halve the lower 8.5 per cent rate of PRSI up to the end of 2013 on jobs paying up to €356 per week.

· Reverse the cut in the minimum wage.

· Implement a number of sectoral initiatives in areas that will create employment in the domestic economy.

· Initiate a long-term strategy to develop new markets in emerging economies.

· Secure additional resources for the national housing energy retrofitting plan, as part of a plan to phase out subsidies in this area by 2014.

· Accelerate capital works that are 'shovel ready' and labour intensive, including schools and secondary roads.

In addition, the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) play a key role, acting as a valuable first point of contact for general business advice and information, as well as through their provision of both financial (grants) and non-financial (business advice, mentoring and a range of training programmes) supports to eligible micro-enterprises.

The CEB network's priorities for 2011 are to assist owner/managers in enhancing the survival and sustainability of their businesses in these difficult economic times and to assist people wishing to start their own business including those made redundant. The CEBs can support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. They must give priority to manufacturing and internationally traded services. My priority is to ensure that both the business environment in Ireland and the assistance available from the Enterprise Agencies continue to be supportive of enterprise and encourage growth in all areas of the economy.