Written answers

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Company Law

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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81. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 23 September 2014 his further views on problems being faced by a company (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45684/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In my response of the 23rdof September 2014 to the Deputy, I pointed out that if he wishes to make available information that suggests circumstances of possible wrongful behaviour relating to companies or company directors he should contact the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. As the Director of Corporate Enforcement is a statutory independent officer it is not possible for me to intervene in any action or decision taken by the Director in relation to his statutory functions.

In relation to possible tax evasion, I would ask the Deputy, or any other person who has information on such matters, to bring such information to the attention of the Revenue Commissioners for whatever action they consider appropriate.

With regard to grant aid for woodworking businesses, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop front line service in terms of advice, direction, training and, in certain circumstances, grant support for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. Contact details for the LEOs are available at .

The LEOs themselves provide a range of financial and non-financial supports to help enterprises at start-up or during business expansion phases. It should be noted that the LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. However, there are other potential supports available and the LEO staff can advise appropriately.

Any business can use the LEOs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund available to MFI has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO.

Businesses can also access the new online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is 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.

The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at: .

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