Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
332. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to support small rural shops and businesses in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49863/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring that more micro and small businesses can start up, expand and export is a key pillar of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth. That is why the Government has decided to implement an ambitious reform in the delivery of service to small and micro business. This will include: 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; Dissolution of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs), and the transfer of their functions, assets and liabilities to Enterprise Ireland (EI); Establishment of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to provide a high quality, innovative, “one-stop-shop” support service for small businesses within Local Authorities, and providing early access to the services of national bodies; and Integration of key local authority business services into the Local Enterprise Office and promotion of a local environment in which enterprise can thrive.
A high level Implementation Working Group (IWG) chaired by my Department is currently progressing the range of issues involved, including a focus on functions, structures and staffing, all of which will form the basis of a detailed and ambitious Service Level Agreement between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities. A project plan is also in preparation which will set out clear milestones and timelines for implementation. I will shortly publish a Consultation Document seeking input from interested parties on the rollout of the new arrangements.
Pending the introduction of these proposed new arrangements, micro-enterprises employing fewer than ten persons, in County Meath can, as their first port of call, continue to contact the Meath County Enterprise Board (CEB) on: http://www.meath.com/
Enterprise Ireland (EI) continues to work with companies in County Meath to help them grow their business. In 2011, approximately 4,300 people were employed on a full time basis in Enterprise Ireland client companies in Co. Meath and some €2.3m was paid to companies in the County for job creation and retention and business development purposes. EI has to date, approved funding of over €1m in support of Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) in Navan, Kells and Trim. In addition, EI Programmes such as the EnterpriseSTART Workshops, the ‘New Frontiers’ Entrepreneur Development Programme and the ‘Get Export Ready’ Programme are all available to businesses in Co. Meath. Details of these Programmes can be found at Enterprise Ireland’s website www.enterprise-ireland.com.
To improve access to credit for entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises, and to facilitate the growth and expansion of viable businesses from all industry sectors which have been refused access to credit by banks, the Government recently established the Microfinance Loan Fund. The Fund is open to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages, across the country.
Microfinance Ireland, (MFI), the company set up to operate the Fund, is working closely with the CEBs and Enterprise Ireland and are very conscious of the particular difficulties entrepreneurs face with regard to credit history, previous business experience etc. and where they can assist entrepreneurs, they will do so. However, the potential viability of the business proposal is the dominant factor in any credit decision made by Microfinance Ireland.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 also includes a number of specific measures aimed at supporting employment in the retail sector including: a renewed focus on prompt payments to business; an assessment of the potential for future development of the retail sector; the introduction of a Statutory Code of Practice for Grocery Goods; and the acceleration of the programme of revaluation of commercial premises which will provide a basis for the adjustment in commercial rates. My officials and I meet with representatives of the retail sector to hear the challenges they face. These engagements will assist us in implementing the above commitments in the Action Plan for Jobs and in identifying any further actions that can be taken to support the sector.
