Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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278. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans which are in place to protect 25 jobs in County Kerry, given the recent announcement that a company (details supplied) is under threat and could be wound up; if all routes to find replacement owners or investors have been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66967/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My thoughts are with those affected by developments in the company. I know that uncertainty can be very concerning for those impacted. The Companies Act governs matters relating to insolvency and liquidation processes, and receivers and liquidators are independent in the exercise of their functions. however, it is not appropriate for me to comment specifically or intervene on company level matters that may be in a receivership process or before the Courts.

For other businesses that are currently struggling with costs, I would recommend that they contact either their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) or log onto the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) to enquire about the supports that are currently available to assist them in mitigating some of their costs.

The LEOs, located in the 31 Local Authorities, offer a suite of supports designed to assist small businesses to reduce their costs and become more productive and more competitive. These include consultancy and grants available to small businesses across all sectors, in the areas of Lean, Green, and Digital. These supports focus on enhancing productivity and improving competitiveness in small businesses and can help business owners identify opportunities to save time, money and energy.

The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Kerry continues to play an extremely important role, as part of this supportive ecosystem, providing a signposting service for all government supports available to small businesses within their Local Authority Area and information/referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols e.g. Revenue, Micro Finance Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and Údarás na Gaetachta.

For businesses located in Gaeltacht areas such as Ballinskelligs, Údarás na Gaeltachta, carries out the role of the other enterprise agencies, creating employment, and offering business development programmes, and Grant schemes, ensuring that their clients have equal access to these services.

The National Enterprise Hub (NEH) is an 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 250 government supports from 32 different Departments and State Agencies.

Information and support can be accessed through the website or by speaking to an advisor by phone or via live chat. This free service makes it easier for business owners 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.