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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 6

Written Answers. - New Job Opportunities.

Patrick D. Harte

Ceist:

37 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of new job opportunities that have been created under the aegis of each of the new Programme for Economic and Social Progress partnership companies to date; and if he will give details of the future plans if any, he has for these companies.

I would refer the Deputy to the replies to parliamentary questions on 23 and 24 March 1993 regarding the local enterprise promotion activities of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress area partnership companies.

The Exchequer funding provided for the area based response to long term unemployment is used for staffing and administrative expenses incurred by the partnerships. The local partnership companies regulate their own affairs in the context of highly focused action plans which have been formulated to reflect the needs and resources of their local areas.

Accordingly, the development of local enterprise promotion activities, including decisions on whether to provide small scale grants or to offer loan facilities, comes within the day-to-day responsibility of the partnership companies and is not a matter for which the Minister for Enterprise and Employment has any direct function.

However, in relation to the special social welfare measures available in the twelve partnership areas, I understand that a total of 240 self-employed people are now in receipt of the Area Enterprise Allowance, which is available to persons who sign off the live register to start up their own business, subject to the approval of the enterprise by the local Area Partnership Company.

I am at present engaged in a review of the various aspects of the establishment procedures, structure, staffing, and funding of the County Enterprise Partnership Boards. In the context of this review, I will be exploring, in consultation with the social partners, and in liaison with the Central Review Committee of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the best means of ensuring the ongoing development of the work of the area partnership companies.

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