Written answers

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Local Enterprise Offices

Photo of Luke FlanaganLuke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason both Galway City Council and Galway County Council have now got local enterprise offices when previously one county enterprise board served both city and county, in view of his policy to maximise value for money by amalgamating the county enterprise boards into the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54019/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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An Implementation Working Group (IWG), chaired by my Department and with membership drawn from the key stakeholders involved in the project, is overseeing the establishment of the new national infrastructure that will support micro and small enterprises. Final decisions on the number and exact location of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) have not yet been made. County Managers and CEB Management are currently engaged in discussions at local level to determine the most suitable approach for their local area. They will report back to the Implementation Working Group in this regard.

On 21st November last I launched a consultation paper outlining the key elements of the proposal to reform the national micro and small business support infrastructure and inviting input from all stakeholders on the implementation of this proposal. The closing date for receipt of submissions was extended to last Friday 18th January to facilitate stakeholders wishing to submit their views. I believe it was important to undertake this further consultation on how best to implement the Government’s decision of reform and this will help inform any decisions to be made. The Government Decision is clear on the structure of the new service, however, I wanted the views of the business sector on how reform can be delivered in a manner that best serves the clients of the State’s Micro and Small Business support services. Value for money from this process will be achieved by bringing local enterprise support into an integrated national network that will deliver enterprise policy to the highest standards and offering seamless progression for small business with potential into the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.

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