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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 2

Written Answers. - County Enterprise Boards.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

17 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will broaden the scope of the county enterprise boards in making funding available for brochures and packaging for start-up businesses or small businesses; his views on whether domestic marketing should be aided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3168/95]

I have noted the Deputy's suggestion, and will bear it in mind in the context of my ongoing review of general policy in relation to the county enterprise initiative.

I should say that the assistance suggested by the Deputy would amount to grant assistance for certain forms of working capital, in contrast with the fixed capital to which county enterprise board capital grants may currently attach. In view of the somewhat intangible quality of the objects to which a working capital grant would apply, I would have to be very satisfied that a move in this direction represented a good use of limited Exchequer funds, having regard in particular to the objectives of the county enterprise boards.
On that point, Deputies may be aware of the fact that the county enterprise boards are already in a position to assist small business start-ups and expansions by means of employment grants. These are a specialised form of working capital grant specifically addressing a central objective of the county enterprise initiative — the creation of sustainable jobs in small businesses at local level.
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