Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the establishment of a small business unit in his Department, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government is clear in the intention to support small businesses and, in particular, the retail and hospitality sectors. The new Small Business Unit to be established in the coming weeks in my Department will be one of the tools utilised to ensure the delivery of targeted support for small businesses. These small businesses continue to be the backbone of our local and national economies.

My Department is working to ensure that the Programme for Government actions aimed at supporting small businesses are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

This work will build on initiatives such as the National Enterprise Hub, which I launched last year, and is making it easier for small businesses to find information and advice on over 250 Government supports across 29 Departments and Agencies.

We are also continuing to ensure the Local Enterprise Offices are sufficiently resourced to deliver their supports, to the almost 370,000 businesses estimated to be eligible. The LEOs will continue to play a vital role in fostering small businesses and contributing to our target of delivering 300,000 new jobs by 2030.

Developing Ireland’s enterprise base will remain a key focus for Government over the next five years and we will continue to review the supports available from our enterprise agencies and to ensure that we have the right structures in place in my Department to deliver them.