Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2016
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to develop the small and medium enterprise sector and to identify issues negatively impacting on it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16312/16]
View answer221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to facilitate job creation through the small and medium enterprise sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16313/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the Irish economy, accounting for 99.7% of all active enterprises in the State. Accordingly, SMEs are a central focus for my Department. In conjunction with its Agencies, my Department works to develop SMEs and to facilitate job creation, while bearing in mind the various issues that impact on SMEs. This work is driven by Government policies and plans, including: Enterprise 2025, the National Policy Statement on Entrepreneurship, the Action Plan for Jobs and the Regional Action Plans for Jobs.
The development of our SMEs is vital and I will ensure the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) continue to be the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. LEOs also provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant state supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, Credit Review Office, and Microfinance Ireland. The ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool (www.localenterprise.ie/smeonlinetool) provides help start-ups to navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible.
Last week, I announced further capital funding investment in the LEOs under the LEO Competitive Fund this year. As part of this scheme, an initial allocation of €2 million is being made to support 16 collaborative job creation initiatives at local and regional level in support of the Regional Action Plans for Jobs. A further call for proposals later this year will aim to support more such initiatives to strengthen job creation in each region.
Enterprise Ireland ensures that all of its clients, from Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups, to exporting SMEs and scaling companies, can access the appropriate supports to help them to create and sustain jobs. These supports include advice for competing sustainably in international markets, sales and marketing; research and development; and start-up investment.
On identifying impacts, one of the primary tools I have as Minister to hear from SMEs is through the Advisory Group on Small Business (AGSB). The AGSB was set up to give a greater voice in the development of policy to SMEs. Issues negatively affecting the growth and development of SMEs are identified, and possible solutions are suggested by the Group. My colleague, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD, will chair the group.
Another formal structure is the Retail Consultation Forum. Given the importance of this sector to the economy it was established to allow key issues of relevance to the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by Government, or by industry itself, to support the sector with particular emphasis on achieving sustainable jobs growth in the sector.
As well as these formal structures, my Department regularly undertakes consultation exercises on various matters that are open to SMEs and their representative organisations to provide input.
The outlook for new job creation in 2016 is positive and the focus of the LEOs and Enterprise Ireland will remain on ensuring that their clients have access to all of the necessary supports required. This focus, coupled with their priority to support entrepreneurship across the regions, and develop strong, export focussed, ambitious Irish companies that can win new business, will mean more jobs for Ireland over the next 12 months.
