Vol. 449 No. 2
38 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will broaden the terms of the county enterprise boards to take into account the potential of the services sector which in the last three years created 47,000 jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1517/95]
The county enterprise boards were established as a nationwide measure to provide a new source of support for local enterprise initiatives. They were established to fill a gap in the support mechanisms for small scale indigenous business, including the services sector. As such, the boards represent a shift away from the traditional bias towards manufacturing and internationally-traded services in favour of a multi-sectoral focus.
A wide range of services are eligible for direct assistance from the county enterprise boards. Up to the end of 1994, over half of all projects approved by the boards were in the services sector.
