Thomas Gould
Question:19. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are available to disabled entrepreneurs. [42180/21]
View answerThursday, 9 September 2021
Questions (19)
Written answers
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow a business. In that regard, the LEOs 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, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland.
The Local Enterprise Offices operate on an equal opportunities basis and offer their services to any entrepreneur, regardless of their situation, in a fair and even-handed manner and in compliance with Government policy and all legal requirements. In this regard, Local Enterprise Office grant supports are available to all entrepreneurs provided they meet the general eligibility criteria such as operating in manufacturing or internationally traded services and with up to 10 employees..
All entrepreneurs can avail of Local Enterprise Office training, mentoring and management development programmes. Furthermore, Local Enterprise Offices can provide additional support to disabled entrepreneurs such as one to one mentoring or sign language to assist with the completion of grant application forms or to complete training courses such as Start Your Own Business. Full detail on available programmes can be found on the Local Enterprise Office website at www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/.
This year Enterprise Ireland established a Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group to oversee the development of the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion vision and strategy. A critical component of this strategy is specific to supporting entrepreneurship and self employment for people with a disability. The aim is to complete the development of the strategy in the months ahead.
As part of Enterprise Ireland’s wider strategy development, a specific ‘Balance & Inclusive Enterprise Development’ working group has been established. This group will present recommended strategic options to the Enterprise Ireland Senior Leadership regarding strategic options for the delivery of Enterprise Ireland’s 2030 ambition on ‘Balanced and Inclusive Enterprise Development’, and as part of the next Enterprise Ireland strategy which is currently being developed.
The Local Enterprise Office Centre of Excellence will implement any appropriate elements and recommendations of the EI Disability Strategy. Furthermore, there is ongoing work by the IT Team in the Centre of Excellence to improve the LEO website from a disability accessibility perspective.