Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered or will consider altering the organisational structure and administration of the county enterprise boards from a county to a regional basis; his views on whether the narrow definition of county creates a false barrier to industry and individuals that straddle county boundaries and thus encounter problems in correctly engaging with CEBs; his views on whether the consolidation of county enterprise boards into regional enterprise boards may prove more administratively and financially efficient while still maintaining a sub-national focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14709/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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1The Deputy will be aware that the issue of restructuring the CEBs has been in the public domain since the publication of the McCarthy Group Report under the last Administration. I should say that I am of the view that it is timely and appropriate to re-structure, and re-focus, how the State delivers its support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector as, after all, this Sector will be vital to job creation and to overall economic recovery in Ireland.

However, I am also of the view that any restructuring should not result in a compromise on service delivery to the end user and that it is vital to ensure that State support for enterprise and job creation activities is delivered in a coherent, effective and efficient manner.

I and my officials are currently seeking to determine the extent to which there should be restructuring of the County and City Enterprise Boards having regard to the Programme for Government, and to other recommendations on CEB restructuring, to the need to achieve a rational and focused model for entrepreneurs, as well as the need to ensure that there is targeted local delivery of enterprise support, driven by a national enterprise policy, in a manner which eliminates overlap and duplication.