As announced in the Action Plan for Jobs, I propose to establish a new "one-stop-shop" small and micro-enterprise support structure. These "One Stop Shops" will be called "Local Enterprise Offices" and will build on the significant work done by the CEBs to date. The new structure will be achieved through the dissolution of the existing CEBs and the creation of a new Micro Enterprise and Small Business Unit within Enterprise Ireland that will work with the Local Authorities to establish a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in each Local Authority. The LEOs will be staffed with a combination of Local Authority and CEB officials. The precise HR arrangements will be finalised as the process moves forward.
In conjunction with the dissolution of the CEB legal structure, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities will be tasked with the practicalities of setting-up and rolling-out a LEO structure. There is clearly a lot of detailed developmental work to be done over the coming months to effect these changes, and to put appropriate new structures in place, as well as addressing many of the issues raised in the Deputy's question. In advance of this work being done it is not possible to say with absolute certainty the date on which a formal transition to a LEO structure will take place, but clearly it is essential that all relevant parties work together to bring about this positive change as a priority.
In the interim, it is vital to ensure continuity of service to the Micro-enterprise Sector and in that regards it is "business as usual" for the clients of the City and County Enterprise Boards until these changes have been effected.
