John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 204: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has considered any youth specific enterprise initiatives to encourage entrepreneurial activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33586/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The role of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro-enterprises that employ less than ten people.

Encouraging and promoting a youth enterprise culture is an important area of activity for the enterprise boards. Through various programmes and initiatives, the CEBs seek to influence student attitudes in favour of enterprise. To that end, the CEBs continue to reinforce entrepreneurship in the education system as a critical element in the future development of small business in Ireland. A number of initiatives are provided by the CEBs at both primary and secondary level including, the annual Student Enterprise Awards, Exploring Enterprise, Celtic Enterprise and Bí Gnóthach Enterprise. Over 20,000 students a year now participate in the various CEB–supported programmes implemented in the education sector. Further information on the initiatives run by the CEBs is available at www.enterpriseboards.ie .

Enterprise Ireland has a wide range of programmes to address the multi-disciplinary demands of entrepreneurship and the diversity of business types, regardless of the age profile of a project promoter. The agency supports companies, employing ten or more people, to achieve productivity gains, internationalisation and export growth. It assists with research and development, management skills acquisition, market information and seed and venture capital. The Deputy may wish to access full details of the agency's programmes on its website www.enterprise-ireland.com.