Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

569.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken by his Department, in conjunction with other Departments, on the development of an all-Ireland enterprise hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32380/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, I launched the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) on the 10th of July. The NEH is a new all-of-government service, staffed by expertly trained advisors and is focused on helping businesses access a range of government supports.

The hub brings together information and resources on over 180 government supports from 19 different departments and state agencies which can be accessed through the new online hub (www.neh.gov.ie) or by speaking to a member of the team of advisors by phone or via live chat.

This free service will make it easier for entrepreneurs to access and avail of supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors, including retail, tourism and hospitality, food and beverages. It also aims to engage with small businesses who have yet to avail of government support.

The National Enterprise Hub is funded by my department and operated by Enterprise Ireland. It currently includes supports from my Department the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Agriculture, Food and the Marine as well as Local Enterprise Offices, IDA Ireland, InterTradeIreland, SEAI, Fáilte Ireland, Skillnet Ireland, Bord Bia, Design and Crafts Council Ireland, Microfinance Ireland, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, Teagasc, údarás na Gaeltachta, Solas and the Western Development Commission.

To ensure the National Enterprise Hub contains comprehensive and up to date information on the wide range of business supports, my officials, on a quarterly basis, chair and convene a contact group with representatives from relevant government departments and agencies. With the assistance of this group my officials also conduct a monthly review of the NEH to ensure content remains relevant and up to date.