Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to assist small businesses in County Meath in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28335/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 contains a range of supports for small and medium-sized businesses, including a €150m Development Capital Scheme aimed at addressing a funding gap for mid-sized, high-growth indigenous companies with significant prospects for jobs and export growth, a Loan Guarantee Scheme and a €100m Micro-Finance Loan Scheme. The Plan also contains measures to reduce costs and red tape. Work is already in progress on the Action Plan for Jobs 2013.

The agencies under my Department are also rolling out their plans of support for businesses in Co. Meath. Enterprise Ireland is actively promoting entrepreneurship in Meath and provides a range of enterprise programmes and other initiatives to approximately 172 companies in the county to ensure that emerging technologies and business ideas with export potential are supported to become a commercial reality. The agency approved almost €3m to companies in Co. Meath in 2011, and so far this year, almost €1.2m has been approved for payment.

In February this year, Enterprise Ireland launched a new Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) Programme for the maintenance or establishment of a strong business development function in Community Enterprise Centres funded by the agency. Since the foundation of the first CEC Programme in 1989, Enterprise Ireland has paid out more than €600,000 in funding to three Community Enterprise Centres in Co. Meath based in Navan, Trim and Kells.

Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) provides a wide range of supports to help new and existing small businesses to grow and develop. It is anticipated that the Board will continue to provide an extensive array of business support services which include:

· Providing business priming grant assistance to start-ups and growing small businesses

· Providing management development training to some 400 owner/managers;

· Providing mentoring support by appointing Mentors to over 26 companies

In 2011, Meath CEB paid out €459,658 in grants to 26 projects. This resulted in a net job creation figure of over 200. In addition, there were 405 participants in the CEB's training programmes.

So far this year, Meath CEB, has approved 13 grants to the value of €67,690. Four 'Start Your own Business' courses have been delivered to 62 participants, with further courses scheduled over the course of the year. Also, eight one day seminars and workshops on business related topics were delivered to 83 participants in the first quarter of 2012 and similar seminars will be hosted throughout the remainder of the year. In addition, 'Women in Business' Seminars have also been popular this year with over 90 women partaking in the first 3 'Women in Business' workshops.