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County and City Enterprise Boards Abolition

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (570, 587)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

570. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress he has made in relation to abolishing city and county enterprise boards; if he will detail in tabular form the expected saving by county, to the number in employment in each unit, the expected reduction in numbers employed, the expected saving following abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37405/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

587. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his policy on city and county enterprise boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37433/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 587 together.

The Government has approved the restructuring of the enterprise support model for the micro and small business sectors. This restructuring will include: the dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland (EI); the development of a new Small and Micro Business Division within Enterprise Ireland (EI) as a centre of excellence in the provision of supports to the small and micro enterprise sectors; the establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide a “one-stop-shop” for small businesses within Local Authorities.

An Implementation Working Group (IWG), under the Chair of my Department, is currently focussed on implementing the Government decision. The IWG, which includes all key stakeholders, is working out the detail of the new arrangements and is to report back to the Minister by the end of the year. In tandem with the work of the IWG my Department is engaged with the Office of the Attorney General regarding the primary legislation that will be necessary to implement the new arrangements. Clearly, the progress of the legislation will determine the timing of the formal establishment date of the new arrangements coming to effect.

Synergies will be achieved in time in terms of a more streamlined model for the delivery of enterprise supports/interventions to the micro-enterprise sector. Some savings on current expenditure are envisaged in the medium term, e.g. on reduced accommodation costs. There will be no savings on staffing. The existing staff of the CEBs will be an integral part of the new arrangements.

I will retain responsibility for national enterprise policy and budgets under the restructured micro-enterprise support model. I am confident that the Local Enterprise Office network will bring together best practice from the CEBs, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities and form the platform for enhanced service delivery to our micro and small business sector, which is central to our plans for jobs and growth and ultimately our economic recovery.

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