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Local Enterprise Offices Remit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Ceisteanna (22)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

22. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the role the local enterprise offices can play in supporting businesses through Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42695/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My priority as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to drive the creation of high-quality and sustainable jobs around all the regions and Counties of Ireland.

In our Budget, this Government has set a clear focus on regional jobs and investment, innovation and building resilience to potential Brexit shocks.

In that regard, I have allocated additional funding of €5 million in Budget 2019 for the Local Enterprise Offices. This brings the (LEO) capital allocation for 2019 to €27.5m, a significant increase of 22% on the 2018 figure.

Since their establishment, the LEOs have responded with impressive jobs growth and initiatives to stimulate new ideas and new ventures locally. For instance, at the end of 2017, the numbers employed across the LEO supported client companies totalled 37,485.

In particular, having regard to the challenges presented by Brexit, the additional funding will enable the LEOs to focus on supporting, strengthening and building resilience for commercial start-ups, micro-enterprises and local businesses that will sustain and create good quality jobs in every town and County. As part of the new funding, an additional resource of Business Advisor, to focus on key clients with growth potential or in need of devising a plan to counteract the impacts of Brexit, will be implemented on a competitive basis.

Another significant measure open to all LEO clients will be the €300 million Future Growth Loan Scheme which addresses gaps in the market place for loan terms of longer than 5 – 10 years.

The partnership between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities is one of the key components in the success of the LEO network nationally. To encourage best practice and to stimulate innovation, elements of the additional funding will be allocated on a competitive basis, supporting high quality collaborative initiatives that maximise the potential to support local and regional job creation.

I am informed that the LEOs will continue to work with the broad range of indigenous enterprises across sectors to ensure soft supports in the form of training, mentoring and targeted programmes to ensure that they are informed and have plans in place to manage the new trading relationships on the island and with the UK more generally. This will include, as a priority, a new customs training programme for all businesses, exporters and importers, to be rolled out in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland.

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