Vol. 460 No. 5
19 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, the Government has to encourage emigrants to return and set up business projects here similar to the proposals in Northern Ireland. [18196/95]
Forbairt already operates an enterprise development programme to assist experienced business managers, professionals and academics to develop high potential start up business projects. A target market for identifying potential enterprise development clients is the Irish emigrant communities abroad. Forbairt is currently putting a programme together for 1996 to contact potential entrepreneurs who are currently working abroad with a view to attracting them back to Ireland to establish businesses. A generous support package is available under the enterprise development programme. This is supplemented with access to Forbairt's "Business Angels Database" with a view to facilitating potential entrepreneurs find experienced business partners willing to invest equity in their proposed business.
The International Network for Ireland (INI) was set up by the Bolton Trust in 1989 to channel information on industry and business opportunities in Ireland to graduates overseas. It is funded mainly by FÁS and sponsored by IDA Ireland, Forbairt and Aer Rianta. The INI uses a higher skills pool (HSP) database and publishes a quarterly magazine, "Inform", which aims to link up graduates with job and business opportunities in Ireland.
