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 The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, has announced a €3.3 million funding boost for the country’s network of county and city enterprise boards (CEBs) which will be paid out before the end of the year creating more than 450 jobs. The stimulus will be channelled through the CEBs to help new businesses get off the ground and support existing ones in creating and protecting jobs.
The Taoiseach was joined at today’s announcement by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD. The announcement was made on board Cadhla - a 60ft barge business operated by City Canal Cruises which has received funding from Dublin City Enterprise Board. The Taoiseach said the extra money announced today would support new business projects this year and create hundreds of jobs.
‘Jobs are the central priority of Government policy and the CEBs create and protect jobs in communities throughout the country. ‘The CEBs’ local focus and agile ability to respond quickly to specific business needs are key components in the Government’s overall policy to support entrepreneurship, growth and productivity in the micro-enterprise sector. ‘The stimulus measure announced today will support more projects and create new jobs at the frontline of local enterprise in cities, towns and villages across the country,’ said the Taoiseach.
The country’s network of 35 CEBs supports micro-enterprises employing 10 or fewer workers in the start-up and expansion phases. They provide business development grants, training and mentoring to small businesses to stimulate local economic activity and entrepreneurship. The €3.3 million capital allocation is in addition to the €15 million already provided this year to the CEBs whose services have been in increased demand since the economic downturn began.
The CEBs were asked what extra capital they could use and pay out this year and what job numbers they would estimate against that spending. They provided gross figures based on their expectation of what projects and activities could be advanced this year.
Minister O’Keeffe said the CEBs play a pivotal role in stimulating local economic development by sustaining and growing the micro-enterprise sector. ‘Total net jobs created in CEB-supported companies between 1993 and 2009 was 30,726. ‘In addition, significant numbers of people were supported in various management training and capability development programmes. ‘The funding boost announced today by the Taoiseach has been made possible by identifying savings in my Department’s overall vote which can now be used for creating jobs and building for economic recovery.
‘I look forward to supporting viable business projects through the CEBs as a result of the funding,’ said Minister O’Keeffe.
The Acting Director of the Small Firms Association, Avine McNally, warmly welcomed the announcement by An Taoiseach of a €3.3 million funding boost for the country’s network of county and city enterprise boards (CEBs). “Small businesses are both different and important they are different because they are managed by people who take risks and important because they create jobs. This funding acknowledges that small business throughout Ireland are the engines of recovery and recognises the important role they play in leading our return to economic growth and job creation.
However, Government must also offer even more support by taking action to address competitiveness, ensuring a flow of credit, maintaining supportive tax measures and reducing the regulatory burden for small businesses.”
Mc Nally stated that the funding must be made available quickly and without excessive paperwork to ensure it is delivered to those businesses most in need.
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