Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Allocations.

John Bruton

Question:

298 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the arrangements in place to ensure that there is no favouritism in and that there are reasonably uniform standards for the allocation of grants for enterprise by the County Enterprise Boards.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

County Enterprise Boards are comprised of a Chairperson and 13 other members. The composition reflects a balance of interests embracing four elected representatives, and representation from the main public sector agencies, business, farming, trade union and community interests.

A specialist Evaluation Committee has been established to assist each Board. The Evaluation Committees which comprise persons with banking and accounting expertise assess the quality, local relevance and cost-effectiveness of project proposals and make recommendations on the most appropriate level and form of assistance.

The Evaluation Committees make their recommendations having regard among other things to:

(a) the objectives of the County Enterprise Action Plan to be drawn up by each Board and any sectoral objectives therein;

(b) national and EC policies in regard to sensitive sectors;

(c) the quality, local relevance and cost-effectiveness of the project; and (d) the prospects of attracting funding/assistance for the project from sources other than the Board.

Projects to be assisted must be in the commercial sphere, and must in general be capable of attaining economic viability, without ongoing Exchequer or European Community assistance.

In particular, project promoters should be able to demonstrate that:

(i) there is a market for the proposed product or service to be produced,

(ii) adequate overall finance will be available to fund the project,

(iii) they possess the management and technical capacity to implement the proposed project.

Projects to be assisted should add value so as to generate income or supplement income for those involved, and should have the capacity to create new direct employment either full or part-time, or seasonal, or should as a minimum contribute directly to the maintenance of employment in existing small enterprises.

I am satisfied that the project eligibility criteria taken together with the broad representative character of the Boards and the independence of their Evaluation Committees will ensure that an objective, impartial assessment of project proposals is undertaken at county level.