Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide the company name, business name or individual name, project title, business sector, the name of the external consultant that evaluated the application for each successful application to the Enterprise Ireland HPSU feasibility study grant in the years 2012 and 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14488/14]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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85. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of applicants for the Enterprise Ireland HPSU feasibility study grant in the years 2012 and 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

The Enterprise Ireland High Potential Start-up (HPSU) Feasibility Study Grant is one of a number of supports to assist new and aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage start-ups to investigate and develop new high potential start-up businesses. The grant instrument was introduced in May 2012 and allows applicants to apply for grant support for a broad range of eligible expenditures relevant to investigating the technical and/or commercial viability of a new business. Typical elements and costs supported in carrying out a HPSU feasibility study include; market research, business plan development, technical research and prototyping. Encouraging and stimulating individuals and early stage start-up businesses to apply for HPSU feasibility grant support is a key element of the Action Plan for Jobs and Enterprise Ireland’s strategy.

Enterprise Ireland does not provide HPSU Feasibility Study Grant application details relating to the names of the entrepreneurs or details relating to their new and innovative business ideas without the express permission of the applicants due to commercial sensitivities relating to this information.

Evaluation of applications under the HPSU Feasibility Study Grant instrument is undertaken solely by Enterprise Ireland staff and management. External consultants are not employed by Enterprise Ireland in evaluating this specific grant instrument.

Enterprise Ireland provides a range of supports and advice in respect of new business ideas and potential applicants for HPSU feasibility study funding must consult their assigned Enterprise Ireland Development Adviser prior to submission of an application to discuss their proposal. HPSU Feasibility Study Grant applications are only completed by clients following discussion and agreement with the assigned Development Adviser therefore applications and approval figures will typically be the same number.

In addition to the HPSU Feasibility Study Grant instrument Enterprise Ireland also runs and manages Competitive Calls for Feasibility Grant Applications known as “Competitive Feasibility Funds”. These funds are designed to promote and stimulate entrepreneurs in targeted regions and sectors to apply for support for investigating new business ideas.

Table 1 below provides detail on the number of successful HPSU Feasibility Grant applications that were approved by Enterprise Ireland in 2012 and 2013.

*introduced in May 2012