Vol. 458 No. 5
40 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to provide democratically elected local authorities with a central role in industrial development strategies; if he intends transferring responsibilities in this area to local authorities and away from unelected bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17239/95]
58 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the steps, if any, he will take to assist local authorities in providing financial assistance to people who have a proven track record of producing products for which there is a market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17256/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 58 together.
The county enterprise boards are a mechanism through which local communities. State development agencies and local authorities are involved in developing and implementing enterprise development strategies in general. The composition of the CEBs represents a partnership between elected representatives, State agency personnel, the social partners at local level and local business and voluntary sector representatives. The inclusion of local elected representatives on the CEBs involves those representatives in a central role in the development of locally-based strategies for the promotion of employment through enterprise.
I have no function in relation to the funding of local authorities, which come under the aegis of the Minister for the Environment. County enterprise boards are the vehicle through which the Minister for Enterprise and Employment provides assistance at local level to individuals such as those referred to in the Deputy's question. As the Deputy is aware, local authorities are directly represented on county enterprise boards by elected members of the relevant city or county council.
