Written Answers. - e-Commerce Developments.
Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:
150
Dr. O'Hanlon
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the support which is available from her Department and agencies under the aegis of her Department to promote e-commerce in towns in the Border, midlands and west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[19951/01]
The use of advanced information communications technologies – ICTs – has become the most significant driver of world economic growth. ICTs are the catalysts through which enterprise, whether traditional or new and irrespective of location can create sustained competitive advantage for its products and services on world markets. ICTs are also the catalysts through which enterprise can create quality and sustainable employment. Innovative strategies that capitalise on the power of the Internet are required and new business models that respond to customer demands in the knowledge economy must be developed.
The objectives through which my Department is helping Irish enterprise to meet the technological, competitiveness and strategic challenges, and exploit the opportunities posed by the new ICTs, are contained in the Departments Strategy Statement, 2001-03. Initiatives aimed at promoting e-commerce are a day-to-day matter for the agencies. Such schemes are aimed principally at SMEs throughout Ireland, including the BMW region. Enterprise Ireland and the County Enterprise Boards have developed e-business initiatives as part of their key role in developing e-business strategies for Irish SMEs.
The Enterprise Ireland £10 million (12.7 million) e-business acceleration fund, launched in March 2000 is designed to fast track significant scale projects so that Irish businesses adopt advanced information and communication technologies to operate in a fully integrated manner thus enhancing their competitive advantage. Some 102 projects were approved across a wide range of industry sectors in companies throughout Ireland with funding of up to £250,000 per company. Some 33 of the companies, one third of the total approved, are located in the BMW region.
In July 2000, the 35 city and county enterprise boards launched EMPOWER, a fast-track e-commerce project for small businesses with funding of £3 million (3.809 million). The objective is to assist and mentor small businesses to effectively and efficiently increase their connectivity to the worldwide web in order to enhance their competitiveness. All the boards devised individual plans tailored to the specific needs of their small business client base and each board was allocated funding based on these plans. Some £957,000 (1.215 million) has been allocated to the 13 boards in the Border, midlands and west region.
In addition to the agency initiatives, the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland have commenced an SME e-business programme which has provided for the employment of three e-business development executives by the chambers in the Border, midlands and west region. The programme is aimed at owner managers and focuses on developing practical skills and a cost-effective e-business strategy. It is estimated by CCI that some 1,500 businesses in the BMW region will receive training by December 2002. The executives will work directly with small and medium sized businesses to develop an e-business strategy.
Question No. 151 answered with Question No. 137.
