Written answers

Tuesday, 11 April 2017

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Local Enterprise Offices Data

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

779. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of young persons under 25 years of age supported by the county enterprise boards youth entrepreneurship training and mentoring supports in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form. [18078/17]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the dissolution of the County Enterprise Boards in April 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and ‘soft supports’ to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEO services include an extensive range of high-quality training and mentoring supports which are tailored to meet specific business requirements, regardless of age. LEO data is compiled in accordance with the supports provided and is not categorised according to specific age groups.

In addition to the standard LEO supports, the LEOs also run Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) Programme which is aimed at 18 to 35 year olds, with an investment fund of €2 million. Now in its third year, IBYE has attracted an increasing number of entries, and this year’s competition attracted 1,842 applications - a 32% increase on last year. In the course of the competition, participants benefit from business advice, mentoring, boot camps and the opportunity to compete for significant investment funding to support the development of their business or idea. The numbers of young persons under 25 years of age who received such supports in the course of the competitions in 2015 and 2016/2017 are set down in the table below.

Numbers of young persons who received business advice, mentoring and who participated in bootcamps.

IBYE 2015 2016
400 548

Photo of Donnchadh Ó LaoghaireDonnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

780. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of young persons under 25 years of age supported by the county enterprise boards and Microfinance Ireland micro loans in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form. [18079/17]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the dissolution of the County Enterprise Boards in April 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and ‘soft supports’ to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEO services include an extensive range of high-quality training and mentoring supports which are tailored to meet specific business requirements, regardless of age. LEO data is compiled in accordance with the supports provided and is not categorised according to specific age groups.

In addition to the standard LEO supports, the LEOs also run Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) Programme which is aimed at 18 to 35 year olds, with an investment fund of €2 million. Now in its third year, IBYE has attracted an increasing number of entries, and this year’s competition attracted 1,842 applications - a 32% increase on last year. In the course of the competition, participants benefit from business advice, mentoring, boot camps and the opportunity to compete for significant investment funding to support the development of their business or idea. The numbers of young persons under 25 years of age who received such supports in the course of the competitions in 2015 and 2016/2017, and the number of Microfinance Ireland (MFI) loans drawn down by persons in that age category are set down in the table below.

IBYE 2015 2016
Business advice, mentoring and participation in bootcamps.

400


548
MFI loans drawn down13 28

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.