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Job Creation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2004

Wednesday, 11 February 2004

Questions (83)

Enda Kenny

Question:

145 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will consider ear marking County Donegal in a pilot programme offering incentives to existing SMEs and potential SMEs in order to combat the spiralling unemployment increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4081/04]

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Written answers

In recent months, I have met with delegations from IBEC north west and the Donegal Country Development Board to discuss employment and related issues in the county. As a result I have arranged for the expert skills group in Forfás to carry out research on the labour market needs of the region.

InterTradeIreland, the trade and business development body which has an all-island remit, has developed a number of programmes for SMEs which can be accessed by companies in Donegal. These programmes are designed to develop the capability of businesses to trade within the island economy by increasing the quality and quantity of knowledge and information on the dynamics of cross-Border trade and business development. InterTradeIreland's ACUMEN programme, for example, provides financial support to SMEs to help develop cross-Border trade opportunities.

The Donegal County Enterprise Board will continue to be active in helping new and existing micro-enterprises in the county. As well as capital and employment grants, there are special strategies in place for women entrepreneurs and a comprehensive programme of development and support programmes designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to survive and grow.

In 2003 Donegal County Enterprise Board, CEB, approved grants of €346,767 to 17 projects. There was a net increase of 223 jobs in CEB assisted businesses in 2003. Throughout 2004 the board will continue to work to support new businesses and start-ups in particular.

The Government, along with the industrial development agencies, is committed to ensuring balanced regional development, particularly through the implementation of the national spatial strategy and the recently announced decentralisation programme which should facilitate economic development in Donegal.

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