Vol. 500 No. 4
71 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the focus, if any, which will be given to new and emerging subsectors under measure three of the small business operational programme which include telefutures, audio visual facilities, the multimedia sector, franchising and the establishment of a digital park; and if additional attention will be given to the Border counties due to new emerging cross-Border business. [4269/99]
Measure 3 of the small business operational programme supports studies into new and emerging services areas. The focus of these studies is to determine the potential of the sectors to create sustainable employment and to identify the parameters necessary to realise this potential.
To date, studies have been published on telefutures, audio visual facilities, multimedia and franchising. Each of the studies proposed a series of initiatives to realise the potential growth in the subsector and these are being implemented. A series of seminars on the studies have been held throughout the country and this promotional programme will be extended in 1999. An investigation of the feasibility of a digital park has also been completed.
Additional studies on direct mail marketing, the design sector and entertainment support services will be published in early 1999. A strategic study into emerging service areas with a regional emphasis will also be commissioned in the near future.
Seed support has been made available to assist a number of innovative projects in these new services areas. Support has been provided to a number of film-multimedia companies to strengthen their strategic bases. Telework Ireland is preparing a series of practical manuals for the subsector. Companies are being assisted to utilise franchising as a business development method and the Government is committed to establishing a digital park.
