John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has to date appointed a senior official within his Department in order to provide ongoing links with Irish business innovation centres as part of the European Business Innovation Centres Network; if so, the name of the official in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10222/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Business and Innovation Centres (BICs) provide integrated packages of intensive services to pre-start-up and early stage entrepreneurs including incubation space, assistance with access to finance, seed capital, mentoring and business planning. BICs have made a significant contribution to the development of the indigenous business sector in Ireland. They enjoy strong public and private sector support as well as an extensive and well-organised network with their European counterparts. Exchequer funding for the BICs is provided by my Department, channelled through and managed by Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland and the BICs have formed a very good working partnership as they provide a complementary approach to achieving a common objective of balanced regional industrial development, the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation and support for potential knowledge based start-up enterprises. A senior official within the Enterprise Development Unit of my Department acts as a liaison and contact point for the Irish BICs.