Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 2

Written Answers. - County Enterprise Boards.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

119 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the chairperson and membership of each County Enterprise Board; the start-up date of each Board; the funding received by each Board from commencement date to the end of 1994; the number of projects submitted to each Board; the number of projects approved by each Board; and the approximate employment generated by each Board. [1766/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I refer the Deputy to my predecessor's answer to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 19 October 1993 providing a full list of the members of the city and county enterprise boards.

There have been a small number of changes since then through resignation or replacement of personnel by the relevant nominating bodies. I will arrange to have details of these changes communicated to the Deputy.

With the exception of the Galway Board, which was established in October 1992, 34 County Enterprise Boards were established on 27 September 1993.

A tabular statement, which I propose to circulate in the Official Report, sets out for each board (a) the number of projects approved, (b) the grant value and (c) the full and part time job approvals. I do not have data on the number of projects submitted to each board.

County Enterprise Fund Approvals 1993/94

County	No of Projects	Grant Value	Job Potential
Full Time	Part Time
		£
Carlow	88	810,859	156	60
Cavan	72	769,124	135	39
Clare	93	743,900	152	46
Cork City	66	454,647	84	4
Cork North	42	547,000	109	8
Cork South	86	826,990	162	17
Cork West	71	720,276	117	36
Donegal	79	683,949	118	32
Dublin City	83	610,940	195	22
Dublin Fingal	43	547,571	95	8
Dublin South	56	1,012,588	149	20
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown	58	555,133	115	3
Galway	195	1,345,895	322	59
Kerry	155	1,176,413	209	96
Kildare	75	586,050	107	7
Kilkenny	70	716,019	95	41
Laois	62	621,219	87	23
Leitrim	87	739,614	129	34
Limerick City	94	543,983	110	20
Limerick County	137	942,940	107	42
Longford	61	522,039	108	23
Louth	44	337,824	66	9
Mayo	127	1,048,212	159	54
Meath	70	647,515	124	23
Monaghan	33	481,900	77	16
Offaly	72	856,210	115	48
Roscommon	88	730,295	116	29
Sligo	92	808,108	179	61
Tipperary NR	37	362,136	48	23
Tipperary SR	59	352,182	42	3
Waterford City	93	597,459	122	20
Waterford County	60	394,762	56	26
Westmeath	51	452,443	78	19
Wexford	103	994,978	113	70
Wicklow	57	770,318	83	18
	2,759	24,311,491	4,239	1,059

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

120 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the present arrangements in each county enterprise board for evaluation, approval and payment of projects; the average time span between receipt of projects and approval and payment; and the links between each board and his Department. [1767/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Each board has the services of an evaluation committee which includes persons with banking and accounting expertise and experience in assessing the quality, local relevance and cost-effectiveness of project proposals. The evaluation committee makes recommendations on the most appropriate level and form of assistance for all eligible enterprise projects having regard among other things to:

(a) the objectives of the county enterprise plan 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.

Project promoters should be able to demonstrate among other things 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.

In the current interim phase, grants approved by boards are confirmed by me and all grant payments are made through my Department.

Grant aid is not provided retrospectively. Payment of grant is made, in full or in part, on the basis of invoiced expenditure vouched as paid where appropriate.

I do not have information about the average time span between receipt of projects and approval and payment. However, every effort is made to make the process as speedy and efficient as possible.

It is my intention that in the near future the boards will operate as independent companies limited by guarantee under an Operating Agreement with my Department. Under the operational programme for local urban and rural development, which is part of the Community Support Framework, 1994-99, my Department will continue to be responsible for allocating funds to the boards and will work with them, providing technical assistance, and advice and guidance on good practice in the implementation of their enterprise plans.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

121 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to give freedom of operation to each county enterprise board. [1768/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

The 35 city and county enterprise boards (CEBs), which have operated since September 1993, were established on an informal basis so as to get the county enterprise initiative operational as quickly as possible.

Arrangements for the establishment of the county enterprise boards as independent, locally-controlled enterprise development companies, limited by guarantee, are at an advanced stage. I intend to press these arrangements to completion by the earliest possible date.