Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs that were created through the county enterprise boards in 2013; when the local enterprise offices will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2966/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Statistics in relation to the number of jobs created in 2013 through support provided by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are currently being compiled as part of the CEB Annual Employment Survey of client companies. It is expected that the information will be available later this Quarter. Provisional figures suggest that over 2,500 jobs have been created or sustained last year through the capital support provided by the CEBs.

As part of the process of restructuring the enterprise supports for micro-enterprises, the existing metrics being used by the CEBs are being revised and extended to make them more relevant as a means of reporting on the performance of the new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Under this process, the jobs metrics will be brought in line with Forfás methodology and will include appropriate jobs targets for each LEO.

The County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Bill, 2013 has completed its passage through the Seanad and is scheduled for debate in the Dail on 6th February, 2014.

In tandem with the passage of the legislation, work is ongoing at local level between the CEBs and the Local Authorities on practical administrative arrangements in advance of the formal commencement of the new structure, including the testing of Financial Management and ICT systems. Enterprise Ireland has established a new Micro and Small Business Division/Centre of Excellence and a robust Service Level Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities has been agreed and published. The LEO Branding and Logo have been developed and launched, and a project to develop a common LEO website is currently underway.

The target date for the legal dissolution of the CEBs and the formal launch of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) is mid-April, 2014.