Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the job creation/announcement target he set for or agreed with each County Enterprise Board for 2012; if he will outline these targets on a board by board basis; the amount of this target they have reached at the end of June on a board by board basis; the steps he is taking to support them in their efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36185/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2011, there were 7,253 jobs created in companies supported by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), while the number of jobs existing in CEB supported companies for the three years 2008-2010 were 33,811, 30726.5 and 32,910 respectively. These figures cover the period when the economy was experiencing very severe economic difficulties, during which period there were significant job losses as well as job gains. Overall, the figures demonstrate the resilience of the CEBs and their client companies in maintaining and created jobs in the micro-enterprise sector during a very challenging period.

It has not been the practice to set specific job creation targets for each CEB. However, the Deputy will be aware that the Government recently approved the restructuring of the way in which the State supports the micro and small business sector. As a result, the 35 CEBs will be dissolved and supports to the micro-enterprise sector will be delivered through Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to be established in Local Authorities. These LEOs will deliver their supports to business to a robust set of targets and performance measurements. These targets, which will be determined following comprehensive analysis of the full potential of the new micro-enterprise support model, will be ambitious and will aim to stretch LEOs to make a significantly improved contribution to economic recovery at local level.