Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views regarding a proposal to establish a business hub (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7103/13]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Enterprise Ireland, one of the Agencies under the remit of my Department, provides hands-on support and advice to entrepreneurs and early stage companies that have an innovative product, service or technology, and have the potential to achieve exports sales and create employment. EI offers a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist clients through all stages of the business development cycle. These include:

Pre Investment Supports for High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs)

New Frontiers Entrepreneur Development Programme National incubation programme that offers successful applicants a package of supports to help accelerate their business development and to equip them with the skills to successfully start and grow a company.

HPSU Feasibility Grant Used to investigate the viability and potential of an innovative/high potential start-up and the development of an Investor Ready Business Plan.

Innovative HPSU Fund (Equity) The Innovative HPSU Fund allows Enterprise Ireland to offer equity investment to HPSU clients, on a co-funded basis to support the implementation of company business plans. First time and follow-on equity investments in HPSUs are supported under this offer.

Mentor Grant Used to support the cost of a Mentor Assignment. Enterprise Ireland can match an entrepreneur with an experienced business mentor to assist the start-up phase or advise on specific areas of a company development plan.

Innovation Voucher

Innovation Vouchers, worth €5,000, are available to assist a company to work with a registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or technical problem.

Internet Growth Acceleration Programme (iGAP) A 6 month intensive management development programme aimed exclusively at high potential internet/games companies.

Anyone interested in exploring in detail the supports available from Enterprise Ireland can contact the Agency at

In addition, Dublin City Enterprise Board (DCEB) can provide support for micro-enterprise in the start-up and expansion phases in order to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity at local level. This support can be either financial and/or non-financial in the form of Priming Grants, Business Expansion/Development Grants, Feasibility/Innovation Grants as well as a wide range of business advisory services such as Business Management, Mentoring, E-commerce, Enterprise Education and Women in Business networks. Anyone interested in exploring the supports available from DCEB can contact the Board at

If the gentleman in question wishes to forward further details of his proposal to me, I would be happy to examine it further.