Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
336. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a small and medium sized enterprise, to promote music in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18692/15]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for assisting start-ups, business development and job creation in each local area. The LEOs can provide advice and direction, covering all government supports and requirements, to anyone who wishes to start or expand a business. The LEOs can also provide funding for projects that meet certain criteria, in certain circumstances, and other non-financial supports.
For example, with regard to the financial supports available, it should be noted that the LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector which over time can develop into strong export entities. However, there are other non-financial supports available, such as mentoring and training, and the LEO staff can advise as to which supports would be most appropriate. Further information is available from the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City, Civic Offices, Block 4, Floor 1, Dublin 8, Phone: 01-222 5611, Email: info@leo.dublincity.ie, website: www.localenterprise.ie/dublincity.
In addition, any business can use the LEOs to access finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises (employing less than 10 people) with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO. Further information is available on the LEO website.
Businesses can also access the ‘Supporting SMEs’ online search tool that was launched last year. By answering eight questions, a small business will be able to:
- Find out which of the over 80 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them;
- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit;
- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further;
- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.
The ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool is available at:www.actionplanforjobs.ie.
