Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to support a matter (details supplied) regarding grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2492/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are now the ‘first-stop-shop’ State support service for micro and small businesses in each local area. The LEOs provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. They can also provide funding for projects that meet certain criteria, in certain circumstances, and other non-financial supports. For example, with regard to the financial supports available, it should be noted that the LEOs generally grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector which over time can develop into strong export entities. However, there are other non-financial supports available, such as mentoring and training, and the LEO staff can advise as to which supports would be most appropriate.

In addition, any business can use the LEOs to access finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers 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. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO. Further information is available on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie.

Businesses can also access the ‘Supporting SMEs’ online search tool that was launched last year. By answering eight questions, a small business will be able to:

- Find out which of the over 80 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them;

- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit;

- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further;

- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.

The ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool is available at: www.actionplanforjobs.ie.