asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants to the enterprise scheme are required to outline the way in which they are going to get business and provide guarantees that they will get business; the reasons for such requirements; his views on whether it might be impossible to meet these requirements in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Enterprise Scheme.
128.
Under the enterprise scheme, a business must be potentially viable and participation may be refused if the services or products proposed are in over supply. Accordingly, a placement officer may insist on a feasibility study and evidence of demand for the services or products being offered before approving an application.
The enterprise scheme is essentially concerned with job creation and the survival prospect of businesses is of considerable relevance in reviewing a person's application to participate in the scheme. There would be no economic justification for admitting persons to the scheme unless there was some reasonable prospect of viability of the business chosen.
I should add that the examination of viability is as much in the interests of the applicant as of the economic administration of the scheme.