Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the closing of Shannon Development will affect the young persons enterprise programme; if alternative sources of funding will be made available to ensure the continuation of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22429/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the Government decision of November 2012, Shannon Development is being merged with Shannon Airport to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership. Kerry Technology Park, Tralee, Co Kerry is currently owned and managed by Shannon Development, in collaboration with Tralee Institute of Technology. The Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP), which is provided by Shannon Development in conjunction with a number of other public and private sector organisations and individuals, benefits the Park and the wider community. Discussions are on-going between my Department, Shannon Development and other departments and agencies about the future plans for Kerry Technology Park, including the YEP run from the Park. Consideration is being given to providing the YEP on-line to facilitate schools who still wish to use the programme materials and to combine this on line facility with a mentoring workshop, where leading entrepreneurs will provide advice and mentoring to an audience of both students and start-up entrepreneurs.