Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to move community employment and enterprise supports back to local government. [14183/11]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to merge the local enterprise and job support functions of local, regional and national agencies into a single business and enterprise unit within local authorities. [14193/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 236 together.

Local authorities play a central role in supporting economic development and enterprise at local level. They do this in a number of ways, including through their capital and current budgets, economic planning and development and the provision of goods and services as well as community infrastructure. Business Support Units (or similar arrangements) have been put in place in all county and city councils. These Units provide a dedicated one-stop-shop approach for businesses in areas such as planning, water services and roads. In addition, the local government-led County/City Development Boards are engaged in economic development and the promotion of enterprise in their areas.

The Programme for Government provides for an expanded role for local authorities in local enterprise and community development. This in turn will assist in maximising the impact of investment to produce jobs at local level. The assignment of the community brief to my Department is important in this regard. Against this background my Department is working closely with local government and local development interests to achieve the alignment of both sectors under democratic leadership to the benefit of the local communities which they serve.En