Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014
335. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to ensure that the business development manager grant for local small businesses and enterprise centres will be continued in 2015. [22425/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by Enterprise Ireland that since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved by Enterprise Ireland for the development of Community Enterprise Centres across the country. Many centres were developed in areas of low employment and population, with the support of Enterprise Ireland, Local Development Groups and other local organisations. In January 2012, Enterprise Ireland introduced a €2m fund to support the appointment of Business Development Managers to sustain and scale up tenants and employment numbers within Community Enterprise Centres that were previously funded by Enterprise Ireland. At present, there are 46 Business Development Managers in the network of centres, which have been supported by Enterprise Ireland under the 2012 Community Enterprise Centre Business Development Manager Scheme.
I am aware that Enterprise Ireland is reviewing the Business Development Managers Scheme and I expect them to report back to me shortly on this matter.
