Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the possibility of opening outreach or sub-offices of the local enterprise offices particularly in larger counties, including in Clifden in County Galway; if there is scope to involve the local development companies in such a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27346/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The newly established network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) is the mechanism through which people will connect at local level with all the appropriate information that they need in order to start, grow and succeed in business. The Galway LEO is part of the countrywide network which will deliver an improved system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses. Through its information and advice service, the LEO is now the single point of access to all local and national enterprise supports and services. A new national Gateway website, and 31 local sites, including Galway, will provide immediate access to such information.

In addition to the financial and soft supports available from the LEO, anyone thinking of starting or expanding a business in any part of Galway will be able to access the full range of State supports provided by different Government bodies – for example Galway County Council, Enterprise Ireland, Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, the Credit Review Office, training bodies – in one easily accessible location within the local authority. The enhanced LEO service provides that all categories of business – including sole traders, micro businesses and small and medium sized companies – will have access to all available Government supports and advice.

The changes at local government level through the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government include the creation of new Local Community & Development Committees which will include representation from the LEOs in each local authority area. In addition, appropriate mechanisms will be devised between the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure that where funding for enterprise development is available from different sources at local level the activities of LEOs, Local Development Companies or other support providers complement each other.