Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are any grants available to a small business in the construction sector that has increased its staffing levels from four to 17 in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16541/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland works with client companies that fall into three main categories as follows:

Manufacturing and internationally traded services companies employing ten or more people (and with a focus on exporting) including those in the construction sector;

Innovation led start-ups with the potential to grow on international markets (and entrepreneurs with the ability to initiate projects that can compete in international markets) including those in the construction sector;

Irish food companies, both those home-grown in Ireland, and those that are overseas-owned or controlled.

Enterprise Ireland support is targeted primarily at exporting companies. However, the agency can assist domestically trading companies, wishing to explore new opportunities in overseas markets, with its range of funding supports and programmes for Irish companies in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors including the following:

Sustained Research, Development and Innovation;

International Sales;

Building Leadership and Management Capabilities;

Embedding Competitiveness Improvements through a tailored programme of Lean Initiatives;

Financial supports - including grant aid to support business development activities in established companies. In the case of innovative start-ups, the agency takes equity positions to support the start-up business plan;

The Going Global Fund was launched in 2009 and helps domestically focused service companies investigate the possibility of internationalising their business. This fund is specifically aimed at locally traded companies that have successfully established businesses in Ireland and wish to explore opportunities to sell abroad.

Enterprise Ireland can also help companies retain the services of a Business Accelerator - an industry expert within a specific sector and market - with the experience, knowledge and contacts to support the company's expansion and development into an export market.