Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he expects action point 175 from the Action Plan 2013 to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10950/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Within the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, I have committed to publish a National Entrepreneurship Policy Statement. As set out in the Table of Actions that was launched on 22 February 2013 with the Action Plan, the Policy Statement will be published in quarter 4 of 2013. To deliver on this commitment, the work programme will involve research and consultation with interested parties and relevant stakeholders. I will shortly be launching a public consultation as part of an assessment of the current environment for entrepreneurship activity.

This focus on entrepreneurship is particularly timely given the work currently being undertaken to restructure the County Enterprise Boards and establish Local Enterprise Offices in Local Authorities to reform the system for delivery of support to start-ups and micro enterprises. A National Entrepreneurship Policy Statement will complement this major reform programme, to ensure that the operating environment is more coherent, responsive and conducive to entrepreneurship. Several Government Departments have a role to play in enhancing the entrepreneurial dynamic. Given the whole of Government approach to the Action Plan for Jobs, this is an ideal opportunity for a National Entrepreneurship Policy Statement to underpin the importance of entrepreneurship as an explicit policy priority for fresh job creation.