As you will appreciate, I have no direct role in the day-to-day running of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Mentoring is an invaluable tool for new and existing businesses offered by the Local Enterprise Offices. This can be offered as a stand-alone support or in conjunction with direct financial aid in the form of a grant. Clients seeking a mentor complete an application, informing their Local Enterprise Office of their specific mentoring need. The selection of the mentor is made by the LEO, based on the type of mentoring required by the client/company and experience and expertise of the various mentors on their panel. The mentor will carry out an assessment of the business and will liaise with their Local Enterprise Office outlining objectives and also regarding the number of visits they deem necessary. The number of mentoring visits as part of an assignment is a matter for each LEO to decide in consultation with the mentor and is relative to the type of business and/or potential for growth and the available LEO budget.
There is no LEO wide policy in place that limits the mentoring sessions to just two sessions. The budget for this and other support offers is managed at a local level by each Local Enterprise Office.
European Union members have different approaches to investment and provision of supports for new and emerging companies. There are a number of policy areas driven by the European Union including Horizon 2020 and the funding initiatives of the European Investment Fund (EIF) that benefit companies across Europe.
My Department and its agencies monitor policy developments in EU member states on an ongoing basis to ensure that the experience of other countries can be brought to bear in the policy development process.
Furthermore, the Local Enterprise Offices provide advice, information and support to starting up or growing your business.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) co-funding is provided in retrospect and in arrears at national level to the Exchequer in respect of ERDF claims submitted for grant monies already dispersed by Enterprise Ireland, LEOs etc. ERDF is not an alternative source of grant finance.
