Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
315. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to provide additional supports for enterprise development in Tallaght, Dublin 24; if he will note that this particular need was highlighted at the recent AGM of Partas Get Tallaght Working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51087/12]
View answerSupporting new and existing indigenous and foreign-owned businesses, across all regions, is central to our plans for recovery, growth and jobs. The Action Plan for Jobs contains a number of measures which are aimed specifically at the facilitation and incentivisation of national enterprise development from start-ups to growth companies. The Enterprise Development agencies, under the aegis of my Department, are at the forefront of implementing the Action Plan for Jobs across all regions and will ensure that enterprises can maximise their contribution to economic and jobs growth.
In 2011, Enterprise Ireland paid over €5.4m in financial support to its client companies to assist them to develop their business and create employment in South County Dublin including Tallaght. The New Frontiers Programme, which focuses on developing a person’s entrepreneurial abilities is co-ordinated by Enterprise Ireland and is providing €4.25m in funding to enable the Institutes of Technology, including Tallaght IT, to deliver the Programme at a local level. Participants receive financial support of €15,000. So far this year, 23 people participated in Phase 1 of the Programme at Tallaght IT and 15 applicants are currently completing Phase 2.A new Community Enterprise Centre Development Programme was launched this year for the maintenance or establishment of a strong business development function in the Community Enterprise Centres, funded by Enterprise Ireland. Three Community Enterprise Centres in the Tallaght Area were successful in securing this funding in 2012, including Partas Centres in Killinarden and Brookfield.
The South Dublin County Enterprise Board provides support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level. In 2011 the Board paid out €357,682 in grant assistance to 38 microenterprise projects in the county. This year, the Board will continue to be actively involved in economic development in the area and will ensure that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development.
From IDA Ireland’s perspective, Tallaght continues to be well-equipped to compete for potential Foreign Direct Investment, with superb infrastructure facilities at City West and Grange Castle. IDA announcements in 2012 include Xilinx – a €50m expansion in its operations; SAP – creation of 150 jobs; Microsoft – US$130m expansion in its operations. As recently as September 2012, Aspen, announced the creation of 44 jobs at its facility in City West.
Ensuring that more micro and small businesses can start up, expand and export is a key pillar of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth. That is why the Government has decided to implement an ambitious reform in the delivery of service to small and micro business. This will include the:-
- Development of a new Small and Micro Business Division within Enterprise Ireland (EI) as a centre of excellence in the provision of supports to the small and micro enterprise sectors;
- Dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland (EI);
- Establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide a high quality, innovative, “one-stop-shop” support service for small businesses within Local Authorities, and providing early access to the services of national bodies and,
- Integration of key local authority business services into the Local Enterprise Office and promotion of a local environment in which enterprise can thrive.
Pending the introduction of these proposed new arrangements, micro-enterprises employing less than 10 persons, in Tallaght can, as their first port of call, continue to contact South Dublin County Enterprise Board (SDCEB) on: www.sdenterprise.ie.
To improve access to credit for entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises, and to facilitate the growth and expansion of viable businesses from all industry sectors which have been refused access to credit by banks, the Government recently established the Microfinance Loan Fund. The Fund is open to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages, across the country.
Microfinance Ireland, (MFI), the company set up to operate the Fund, is working closely with the CEBs and Enterprise Ireland and are very conscious of the particular difficulties entrepreneurs face with regard to credit history, previous business experience etc. and where they can assist entrepreneurs, they will do so. However, the potential viability of the business proposal is the dominant factor in any credit decision made by Microfinance Ireland.
I am confident that the measures outlined in the Action Plan for Jobs, together with the initiatives being pursued by the State Agencies will ensure the creation of enterprise development and employment opportunities for Tallaght and the surrounding area.
