Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will list the grants that are available for start up companies so that they will can purchase items such as fixtures and fittings for a new office; if he will list the grants that are available for start ups in general; the way they can applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36487/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) support the indigenous micro-enterprise sector in the start-up and expansion phases and stimulate enterprise potential at local level. The current priorities for the CEBs are to assist owner/managers in enhancing the survival and sustainability of their businesses in these difficult economic times and to assist people wishing to start their own business. The CEBs provide a valuable resource for those starting a business both in terms of advice, direction, training and grant support. The Boards deliver a range of tailored programmes and supports through the provision of both financial assistance and non-financial assistance.

The forms of financial assistance, which are available from CEBs, subject to certain restrictions and conditional on an agreed business plan, include the following:

· Feasibility/Innovation Grant (payable up to €20,000 (or 50% S&E, 60% BMW region) of the investment, whichever is the lesser), available to micro-enterprises to assist with the cost of necessary pre-start up studies carried out for the purposes of assessing market interest in/demand for a proposed new product or service, the appropriateness of the associated funding plans, the general viability and sustainability of the venture and assistance with innovation.

· Priming Grant (payable up to 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser) available to micro-enterprises for business start-ups within the first 18 months of start-up. This can cover all business costs directly attributable to starting a new business (save payments to State Bodies).

· Business Expansion/Development Grant (payable up to 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser) available to micro-enterprises to grow and develop the micro-enterprise. This can cover all business costs directly attributable to growing and developing a business (save payments to State Bodies).

The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability training and development programmes, e-Commerce training initiatives etc. Training courses include such topics as start-your-own-business, taxation for beginners, internet marketing, ideas generation and negotiation skills. To access the range of supports available, business promoters may wish to contact their local CEB, details of which are available at www.enterpriseboards.ie .