Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there has been an increase in entrepreneurial activity in the Border counties in view of Brexit; if the LEOs have seen an increase in applications for funding and-or support since June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20357/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in Border counties are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow their own business. In 2019, additional capital funding of €5m for local enterprise development was allocated as part of the Budget 2019.

The LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.

There are a number of supports which are aimed at strengthening the capacity of micro and small businesses to better cope with the changing external environment, especially Brexit, these measures include;

- Access to the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ online tool where micro and smaller businesses can self-diagnose their readiness for Brexit;

- A ‘Technical Assistance for Micro-enterprises’ grant designed to support qualifying businesses to diversify into new markets, enabling companies to explore and develop new market opportunities;

- A ‘Lean for Micro’ programme available nationwide to help small businesses become more efficient and competitive;

- A ‘LEO Innovation and Investment Fund’ programme to support innovation in micro-enterprises and to help them become investor ready so that they can scale their businesses;

- Tailored mentoring to address Brexit-related business challenges;

- Targeted training on specific Brexit challenges, including financial aspects and capability building in innovation, competitiveness and opportunity diagnosis

- Customs Interactive Workshops - open to all business sectors to help business understand the administrative process around import and export procedures, customs formalities at borders and cost implication of tariffs.

As the Deputy is aware, with the support of my Department, Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, this is the fifth time we are running the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) programme with over 1,600 applications received this year and with over 43% female participation with 82% of applications in the Best Business/Best Start Up category.

In respect to applications for funding and or support since June 2016, in respect to the following counties, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo there has been a notable increase in entrepreneurial activity. The number of LEO client approvals in the six counties combined increased from 126 in 2016, to 159 in 2017 and to 144 in 2018, equating to a 14% increase over two years. Similarly, LEO approved funding in the six counties increased from €2.35m in 2016 to €2.83m in 2017 and was €2.67m in 2018, an increase of 14% in 2018 over 2016.

More generally, over the past 5 years, 17,587 potential entrepreneurs took part in a Start Your Own Business programmes run by the LEOs nationally and I am confident that the Border county LEOs will continue to build on the positive momentum to date and further foster entrepreneurial activity in the Border regions in the years ahead.