Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:142 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she is reducing the budget for Louth County Enterprise Board. [31148/03]
Written Answers. - County Enterprise Boards.
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:143 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated by her Department to Louth County Enterprise Board for each of the past five years; if she now proposes to cut the budget for the county enterprise board; her views on the way in which this reduction will damage and impact on job creation in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31149/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
The funding allocated by my Department to Louth County Enterprise Board for each of the past five years is as follows:
|
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
€882,977 |
€634,896 |
€752,955 |
€833,164 |
€795,718 |
The 2004 budget allocations for all city and county enterprise boards are not yet finalised. In deciding the Exchequer allocation, careful consideration will be given to the appropriate prioritisation of funding given the limited resources available for the coming year. I remain strongly committed to the support and development of the indigenous sector in County Louth. My Department closely monitors the budgetary situation of all CEBs on an ongoing basis and will continue to take a proactive stance in ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial and employment development throughout the country. I am confident that, with the allocation made to Louth County Enterprise Board in due course, the board will be in a position to provide an appropriate level of assistance to any good quality projects that present over the coming year.