Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to ensure that the delivery of training sessions (details supplied) by local enterprise offices is orientated towards citizens who seek to develop entrepreneurial skills and to set up and develop businesses. [43760/15]
View answerThe various training courses, mentoring and advisory services offered by the Local Enterprise Offices are targeted at people who wish to start-up or expand their own business. In 2014, the latest full year for which data is available, the LEOs delivered 1714 training programmes for clients, including 233 Start Your Own Business programmes. As a result of grant and other supports, including training, some 4000 jobs were created in new or expanded client businesses in 2014. There is an MOU between the LEOs and the Dept of Social Protection in support of social welfare recipients who want to start a business and to ensure that such people can avail of the variety of State supports available.
The specific issue raised by the Deputy in relation to participation on training courses such as Start Your Own Business being a prerequisite for access/attainment of Social Welfare Programmes is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. I understand that when taking up back-to-work schemes, the self-employment project must be approved as viable and sustainable.
I also understand that a review group in relation to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance has been established - and is being chaired - by the Department of Social Protection. My Department will be represented on the Group.
