Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
193 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that have been put in place to support indigenous industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5698/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe support of indigenous industry is afforded a high priority in industrial policy and this is reflected in the programmes pursued by the enterprise development agencies of my Department.
Enterprise Ireland, which has the lead role in this area, offers a range of supports aimed at assisting Irish indigenous client companies to expand and compete in the international marketplace. The agency delivers a flexible set of solutions tailored to the needs of individual circumstances of Irish enterprises. Each client company is assigned a development adviser who works with the company in assessing its needs and capabilities, formulating an agreed growth plan and in assisting the company access the range of services and resources it needs to execute that plan.
Enterprise Ireland provides funding and non-financial supports to client companies across a range of activities structured within the six key interacting elements of a business development model. Key among these are supports in respect of business planning and information, research, development and design, production and operations, marketing and business development, human resource development and finance for growth. The financial supports offered by Enterprise Ireland place a strong emphasis on encouraging research and development and improving the competitiveness of existing companies, supporting new company start-ups and growing exports.
In May 2003, Enterprise Ireland launched the competitiveness fund, a €10 million fund established to build the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises. The final call for proposals under the fund closed on 6 February 2004 with more than €7.5 million already committed to Irish firms. Shannon Development, which has responsibility for Irish industry in the Shannon region, operates a number of programmes aimed at established Irish industry and high potential start-up companies. The main focus is on the technological and management ability of client companies and to the ability of these companies to invest in and exploit research and development. In 2003, the Shannon region's technology based start-up sector continued to be buoyant with seven HPSU business proposals approved for assistance, 37 new start-up feasibility proposals supported and venture capital of €2.5 million leveraged for the start-up sector in the region.
The year 2003 saw the opening of the €3.8 million Birr Technology Centre, and the commencement of construction at the Information Age Park Ennis to complete the network of five technology locations, which comprise the Shannon development knowledge network. The company is also developing a concept known as e-towns to help stimulate information-related investment and enterprise to smaller population centres. Five locations have been selected and it is expected that the total capital investment in each location will be in the order of €2 million to €3 million.
The city and county enterprise boards, CEBs, have primary responsibility for the promotion of indigenous industry in the micro-enterprise sector and are strongly committed to the support and development of this sector and will continue to be proactive in ensuring that available funds are targeted to maximise entrepreneurial development throughout the country. More than 30,000 jobs have been created in indigenous companies supported by the CEBs since their establishment in 1993.
