Vol. 442 No. 3
104 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether there are any grants, subsidies, loans or other financial assistance available to a business which is in danger of liquidation but which employs effectively four or five members of the same family who would otherwise be in receipt of unemployment assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The services of State agencies and of county enterprise boards, inter alia, are provided to assist firms to set-up, to develop business competence and skills and generally to help firms to keep going and to grow. There are other supports and assistance from a range of other sources such as Leader, seed capital and venture capital funds. Within my Department the competitiveness and employment protection unit is available to help firms with difficulties by ensuring that every assistance that State bodies can legitimately provide is given.
I cannot comment on the case mentioned by the Deputy. If he were to give me some details of that case he has in mind, I would be happy to see if there is anything which can be done to assist.
