Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way the new one- stop shop for small business will operate; if he will provide details of its staffing levels and budget for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7402/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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When established, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will become the first-stop-shop through which information on national and local supports for business can be accessed, where new start-up and micro-enterprises can be grant-aided, where small businesses can receive training and mentoring, and where businesses with clear high growth potential can be fast-tracked to the next level of support from Enterprise Ireland. The 31 LEO offices, with a dedicated complement of 122 CEB and 50 Local Authority staff, supported by 40 Local Authority liaison personnel, will be the local hub for enterprise support, delivering a comprehensive service to local entrepreneurs and businesses.

The new service means that national enterprise policy and local business supports will be brought together to strengthen the local business culture and environment, combining the best of the County Enterprise Boards and the Local Authorities. The newly established Centre of Excellence within Enterprise Ireland will be responsible for developing an improved environment for small and micro business and bring this sector into the heart of national enterprise policy. A robust Service Level Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities will provide a framework for the delivery of an enhanced service to micro and small enterprises and will be periodically reviewed to ensure that impact and value for money are being optimised via the LEO network.

Each LEO will develop a local plan for boosting enterprise. Key targets in the local plan will be new business start-ups, business expansions and jobs created or sustained as well as wider economic impacts such as exports, mentoring, training and enterprise promotion. The Local Authorities will also bring new initiatives and opportunities for supporting local enterprise.

The Exchequer allocation, as secured by my Department, will continue to be the primary source of funding for the LEOs. A total of €29.4m has been allocated for the CEBs/LEOs in 2014 and this includes an additional 3.5 million which will be targeted at a suite of new initiatives focussed on youth entrepreneurship and young people with a business idea who wish to start their own business. It is also anticipated that Local Authorities will provide funds for other related activities particularly in relation to enterprise promotion through their normal budgetary processes.