Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason indigenous Irish companies and entrepreneurs are being less favourably treated when it comes to start-up and expansion assistance and, in particular, the reason indigenous small to medium projects appear to flounder at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43998/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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State agency spending on Irish owned companies is approximately €770 million versus €470 million for foreign owned companies. We have a range of supports to help indigenous companies start to expand and create jobs including: start up grants, innovation, technology support, management development, graduate placements and export supports.

Since coming into office, this Government has had an unrelenting focus on enhancing supports to SMEs across the country. Recognising the importance of the contribution that small businesses make to the economy, employing as they do, 70% of the workforce in the private sector, we have taken very specific steps to enhance both the State supports available to them and the wider business environment in which they operate.

Specifically, we have rolled out the new LEO network which replaced the City and County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) in every County. The LEOs are now the “first-stop-shop” front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs.

In this enhanced support structure under the LEOs Network, entrepreneurs, micro or small businesses, whether they are exporting or domestically trading, will be offered advice or pointed in the right direction on what they need to do, in order to progress their business idea, or take the next step in expansion. The aim is to give the best possible service to people who have a business idea or who are already in business, but wish to expand.

Enterprise Ireland also provides a range of supports for start-up and expansion companies including, financial supports, business and marketing advice, mentoring and product development.

In October, the Government published the National Policy Statement on Entrepreneurship in Ireland which represents the first time a Government has published a comprehensive national plan for entrepreneurship. This Policy Statement sets out the Government’s strategic objectives in key areas that impact on entrepreneurs and start-ups and signposts the direction which policy will take in the coming years.

Since 2011, we have introduced a suite of state sponsored financing instruments that provide a broader range of capital, equity and debt funding options for SMEs across all stages of the business life cycle. Most recently, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) was launched by the Government, and will provide over €800m of additional credit for SMEs, with lending likely to begin before the end of the year.

Budget 2015also announced a number of reforms to the Employment Investment Incentive and the Seed Capital Scheme to support increased investment into entrepreneurial ventures.

I have undertaken a review of Microfinance Ireland’s operations to identify actions that can be taken to improve take up and the impact of the Scheme. This review will be finalised shortly. I have also undertaken a review of the Credit Guarantee Scheme and will ensure that appropriate changes are made to it.

Starting a new business is inherently risky and many new start-ups fail. However, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise an Innovation, I am determined to improve the communication of the Government’s offering to SMEs, as part of its goalto make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business.

In this regard, businesses can now also access the new online search tool for SME business supports which was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Toolis a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. I would urge the Deputy to direct all SMEs to this online facility, which is available at: