Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of local enterprise office launches to date; the cost of each launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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One of the constant challenges for enterprise support services is awareness levels among key target audiences of the range of supports that are actually available. Much effort and tax payer's money goes towards the provision of these services but repeated surveys show that awareness among business people remains low. As part of an ongoing and broader effort to bridge this awareness gap, the formal launching of individual LEOs commenced with the National launch in the LEO Westmeath on 29^thApril 2014. A further 30 LEOs have been launched since.

The individual local LEO launches provide an ideal opportunity to demonstrate locally how the LEOs will be at the front line in delivering business growth and jobs, providing direct support and pulling together all the players – agencies, Local Authorities and the private sector - to support everyone with a good business idea and strengthen the enterprise sector in the local area.

In parallel with the local launches of the LEO offices a national competition to find Ireland’s best young entrepreneur was also launched which offers further opportunity to promote awareness of the new LEO offices and the enterprise supports they offer. Available details of the cost of the individual launches is attached overleaf.

Each LEO has a small allocation for events such as these and the costs are incorporated into each Office’s budgets for the year.