Enda Kenny
Question:28 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will devolve some of his powers to the proposed regional authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Role of Proposed Regional Authorities.
I am committed to the alignment of the operations, areas, etc. of the State agencies under the aegis of my Department with the new regional authorities to be established under the Programme for a Partnership Government.
The establishment of Forfás and Forbairt provides the potential to establish mechanisms to co-ordinate the State's response to local development needs in the context of national strategies and, operationally, within Forbairt and ABT to agree a single point of contact or account executive for most firms.
The establishment of the County Enterprise Boards will, moreover, help to bridge a gap in the current support system for local enterprise initiatives. The County Enterprise Boards will have unequivocal enterprise and job creation objectives and will undertake a support role in those business areas not already covered by Forbairt. The operation of these Boards at county level will be complemented by Forbairt's industrial development role at regional level.