Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the start-up finance available to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40942/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not provide direct funding or grants to businesses but provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland, through whom assistance is delivered directly to businesses. The CEB's unique role positions them as a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business.

I would advise the promoter to contact their most appropriate CEB in the first instance to discuss what options may be available to them and their proposed business venture. Contact details for individual CEBs can be obtained through their network website address www.enterpriseboards.ie

To be eligible for CEB grant support an enterprise must be in the commercial sphere, must demonstrate a market for the proposed product/service, must have a capacity for growth and new job creation and must not employ more than 10 people. CEBs can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The forms of financial assistance, which are available, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, include Priming Grants, Business Expansion/Development Grants, and Feasibility/Innovation Study Grants. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight and displacement arising from a proposed enterprise.

Whilst not all businesses will be eligible for financial assistance the CEBs also deliver a range of non-financial supports to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow.