Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 115: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the precise functions that have been allocated to the Minister of State, Deputy John Perry; the budget that has been allocated and the initiatives he will undertake to support small business in the next 100 days. [5974/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Mr John Perry, T.D., has been assigned responsibility for the Small Business portfolio. The appointment of a Minister for Small Business reflects the importance the Government attaches to the sector and the contribution the sector can make to our overall economic recovery and growth. The detailed range of duties and associated legislative provisions that will accompany this portfolio are currently being finalised within my Department. It is the aim to have the necessary Delegation Of Functions Orders drafted and presented to Government for approval in early April. A notice will be published in Iris Oifigiúil once the Orders have been made by the Government.

Budgets have already been allocated to my Department and the relevant enterprise support agencies under the 2011 Estimates process. The Programme for Government sets out a comprehensive range of initiatives which will assist the small business sector. The Minister for Small Business, together with Cabinet colleagues, will prioritise action in relation to these initiatives.