James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown of the allocation of funding to the county enterprise boards, on a county basis; his plans to double the allocation in our efforts to deliver jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18971/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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An Exchequer allocation is provided each year under the Estimates process for the funding of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs). Allocation of funding to individual CEBs is conducted each year by the Central Coordination Unit (CCU) within Enterprise Ireland. In determining these allocations, a systematic approach is adopted by the CCU to ensure the maximum degree of objectivity and equity of treatment. This approach involves the provision of funding on the basis of a standard allocation to each CEB, as well as an extra allocation that is determined mainly by population but which also takes account of issues such as local unemployment trends, capacity to spend, existing commitments and regional spread.

The Exchequer allocation is made in the context of the overall public finances and in 2012 amounts to €26.386m, of which €15m is available for direct grants and training, mentoring and advice services to micro-enterprise clients. The balance of €11.386m in Pay and Non-Pay costs is also instrumental to the full delivery of support services to the micro-enterprise sector, as this allocation encompasses staff costs associated with delivery of general business advice and information to clients, the conducting of site visits by staff to ensure that grant conditions are being met, etc. This represents a strong investment in the micro-enterprise sector, notwithstanding the additional level of demand on CEB services generated in the current difficult economic climate.

As part of the CCU's on-going management of available funding during the year, the Unit will continue to monitor CEB spending. Should any surplus funding become available, this will be reallocated by the CCU to any Boards that are in a position to spend additional funds, subject to thorough assessment of the rationale and the justification for the level of funding being requested.

Information on the Exchequer allocations for the individual CEBs for 2012 is in a table.