County enterprise boards were established to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at local level, primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small enterprises.
Prior to their establishment no comprehensive locally based decision-making mechanism had existed for State supports to small and micro business. Most enterprise supports were restricted to those provided by the IDA, SFADCo, ABT etc. with decision making focused at regional and national level and assistance restricted to manufacturing and internationally traded services.