Liam Hyland
Ceist:78 Mr. Hyland asked the Taoiseach if he will consider including County Laois in the partnership areas for the purpose of assisting persons starting their own business. [1005/96]
Vol. 460 No. 3
78 Mr. Hyland asked the Taoiseach if he will consider including County Laois in the partnership areas for the purpose of assisting persons starting their own business. [1005/96]
Sub-Programme 1 of the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development, 1994-1999 — Local Enterprise, deals specifically with enterprise creation and is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise and Employment. Its prime objective is to provide a basic support system for micro/small enterprises to increase the start up rate of these enterprises, improve their survival rate and to support viable existing firms to survive and expand. The Laois County Enterprise Board administers this Sub-Programme for all of County Laois. From 1993 when the Board was created, to the end of 1995, 987 grants were approved by the Laois County Enterprise Board with a total of £551,000 being paid out.