Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department works with local authorities in the delivery of services; and if so, the details of same. [42565/12]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his Department engage with local authorities in the provision of services and if so the details of same. [42586/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.

The Government’s Action Plan for Jobs sets out a range of actions across Government Departments and Agencies which aim to create a vibrant environment where enterprises can start up and flourish. My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and the Local Authorities, in specifically seeking to improve the operating environment for businesses at local level.

Clearly the Local Authorities have an important role to play in delivering a range of services, critical infrastructure and assistance to businesses at local level. Currently my Department is engaged in the development of a more joined-up approach to the direct delivery of supports to the micro and small business sectors which are a crucial part of our economy. This will focus primarily on the establishment of a network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) within Local Authorities. The LEOs will provide a high quality, innovative, “one-stop-shop” support service for small businesses, and integrate key local authority business services into the Local Enterprise Office.

The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government recently announced the Local Government enterprise and jobs strategy – Supporting Economic Recovery and Jobs. This sets out the framework for Local Authorities to develop targeted local strategies for economic development and enterprise support to drive the Action Plan for Jobs.