Vol. 540 No. 3
53 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to improve the level of funding available for the development of enterprise centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20765/01]
54 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the funding structure for enterprise centres will be improved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20766/01]
55 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to encourage the further development of enterprise centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20767/01]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 53 to 55, inclusive, together.
The issues raised by the Deputy are day to day matters for Enterprise Ireland and ones in which I have no direct function. However, I recognise the impact that community led initiatives such as the Enterprise Ireland community enterprise centres schemes have had on the creation of new businesses and the development of employment opportunities in smaller towns and deprived urban areas.
In order to identify the lessons from the scheme and the issues that emerged during its implementation, including, for example, cost and funding requirements, a report on the existing Enterprise Ireland community enterprise scheme (1989) was commissioned late last year. This report is now nearing completion and it is expected that, on foot of its findings and recommendations, consideration will be given to the implementation of a new scheme.
