Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 5

Written Answers. - County Enterprise Boards.

Seán Power

Question:

41 Mr. S. Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an allowance has been made for the PPF in allocating budgets to the county enterprise boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13287/03]

Seán Power

Question:

42 Mr. S. Power asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria involved in deciding the budget allocation to county enterprise boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13288/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.

My Department provides financial resources to the 35 city and county enterprise boards to encourage development and entrepreneurship at a local level. Exchequer funds are provided to the CEBs on an annual basis from my Department's Vote and form part of the normal Estimate negotiations with the Department of Finance. Agreements ratified under the Programme for Pros perity and Fairness, which are applicable to the CEBs, are comprehended within the annual budgetary round.

Due to the individual nature of CEBs, their low staff numbers and the voluntary and unpaid nature of the posts of chairperson, members of the boards and evaluation committees, the Department takes a more pro-active approach in the running of CEBs compared to larger enterprise agencies under my remit.

The CEBs provide a range of training and management development and networking initiatives, together with selective financial assistance to those setting up or expanding small businesses. The criteria involved in deciding annual budget allocations are dependant on the range and level of micro enterprise activity in each region coupled with the carry over of board commitments from year to year. For the purposes of transparency all boards are informed of all CEB annual allocations. My Department closely monitors the budgetary situation of CEBs on an ongoing basis. It will continue to take a proactive stance in ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.