Terence Flanagan
Question:275. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to set up a one stop shop for small business start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53756/13]
View answerTuesday, 17 December 2013
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The Government Decision of April 2012 to reform the national micro and small business support infrastructure sees the dissolution of the 35 existing County Enterprise Boards and the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland. The functions will then be carried out by the Local Authorities on behalf of Enterprise Ireland through the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in each Local Authority area. There will be 31 such LEOs in total.
When established, the LEOs will become the first-stop-shop through which 1) information on national and local supports for business can be accessed, 2) where new start-up and micro (less than 10 employees) can be grant-aided and where small businesses (more than 10) can receive training and mentoring, and 3) where businesses with clear high growth potential can be fast-tracked to the next level of support from Enterprise Ireland. The LEOs will deliver tailored supports (benchmarked by Enterprise Ireland through its Centre of Excellence) that will enhance the promotion, creation and maintenance of employment and nurture entrepreneurship and innovation.
To date, key elements of the project that have been achieved include staffing structures and locations for the LEOs were identified, a Centre of Excellence was established in Enterprise Ireland and a framework Service Level Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities for the LEOs was published. Other administrative measures necessary to effect the reform are also significantly advanced in such areas as financial management, website development, training and performance metrics.
I am confident that this new comprehensive approach will energise the entrepreneurship culture at local level leading to the start-up and expansion of businesses and the creation of employment.