Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding for the County Meath Community Enterprise Board in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; the number of applications supported in each of those years; the amount each successful application received; the number of community enterprise centres in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24979/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The role of Meath County Enterprise Board, as one of a network of County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) throughout the country, is to provide a source of support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. Business growth, job creation and retention are central to the activities of the CEBs.

Subject to certain eligibility criteria, Meath CEB can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to eligible project promoters. The forms of financial assistance available include Priming Grants, Business Expansion/Development Grants and Feasibility/Innovation Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance includes general Business Advice and Business Management Training as well as Mentoring and Networking opportunities.

The overall Exchequer allocations to Meath CEB for the years 2006 to 2010 including administrative overheads, salaries, and financial supports to micro-enterprises in the form of direct grant aid and soft supports were €916,019, €968,275, €1,042,093, €964,617 and €898,531 respectively.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to grant assistance is set out as follows. Individual grant details are not retained by this Department. An average grant aid figure per project has been included.

Enterprise Ireland and the CEBs work closely together on the EI Community Enterprise Centre Scheme and provide practical support in terms of space and facilities and a supportive environment for new businesses to emerge and prosper at a local level. Under this scheme three Enterprise Centres have been funded in Meath, they are:

Navan Enterprise Centre, now eight years in existence, is fully occupied and expansion plans have received Enterprise Ireland approval. 27 different tenants employ about 250 people in the 7,000 square metre centre and this is continuing to grow. Epicom Ltd, a specialty packaging company, is one of the largest employers in the centre. Other tenants include Millmount Healthcare, Navan uPVC and the Health Service Executive.

Kells Enterprise Centre Ltd. was completed in December 2006 at an estimated cost of €2.9m. The Centre has a total floor space of 2,280 square metres, with units of approximately 20-750 square metres. Phase 2 of the centre has now moved swiftly ahead and when complete will accommodate 30/35 businesses in a 29,000 square foot facility. Selection will be based on technology and high-value added businesses with a particular emphasis on manufacturing.

Trim Initiative for Development and Enterprise Ltd (TIDE) is planning for future development.

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for the restructuring of the community enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24980/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The issue of restructuring the CEBs has been in the public domain since the publication of the McCarthy Group Report in 2009. There is no doubt but that the County Enterprise Board model has served the micro-enterprise sector very well over the years but some restructuring of that model is now required to meet the current social, economic and technological landscape of Ireland in line with the many changes since the establishment of the Boards in 1993. The indigenous micro-enterprise sector plays a key part in Irish business and will be vital to our return to economic growth, and it is therefore important that the current deliberations on the most appropriate structures for the support of the micro-enterprise sector are dealt with in a considered and focused manner.

There are a number of schools of thought on the best way forward in relation to CEB restructuring. It will be important to ensure that there is a coherent and cohesive delivery of State support to the indigenous business sector based on clear enterprise policy principles laid down by this Department. Any restructuring must not diminish the State's engagement with and support for our important micro-enterprise sector and in particular must not make it more difficult for the end-user to access the support services available for the Sector.

Within my Department we are currently seeking to determine the extent to which there should be restructuring of the CEBs having regard to the Programme for Government, and to other recommendations on CEB restructuring, taking account of 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.