David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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635. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the Import X Initiative of the former enterprise boards, now LEOs, is still in place; her views on its effectiveness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29652/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Import X Initiative was a pilot project run in 2013 by the County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) in the South East, led by Carlow. It was designed to investigate if links could be formed between smaller and larger companies to engage in supply chain understanding. This initiative was primarily aimed at the engineering sector. The pilot initiative led to consultation with the engineering sector in Carlow and that led to the following:

- development of a needs analysis for training, in particular around hydraulics and the potential for a partnership between the sector and IT Carlow. This process is still live and Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Carlow is supporting same.

- the adoption of Lean for Micro by LEOs Tipperary, Carlow, Waterford and Kilkenny, this process is ongoing.

- a number of actions being incorporated into the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.

This pilot was a successful initiative in that it provided the basis for pursuing various avenues to assist smaller companies. Specifically LEO Carlow now operates and designs a number of its programmes around clusters based on the learning.