Message from Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

 

I wanted to take an opportunity to update you on the progress being made at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

This Government inherited an economy where public expenditure was running 50% ahead of revenue, and the jobs market was in freefall. Over 300,000 jobs were lost in the three years before we took office. Our task is to undertake an economic transition from the old, failed economy based on property, banking and debt, to a new, sustainable economy based on enterprise, exports and innovation. This is at the core the Taoiseach’s ambition to make Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business in by 2016.

This year we introduced the first annual Action Plan for Jobs, aimed at getting the whole of government and all of its agencies to focus on job creation. It has an ambition to create an extra 100,000 jobs in the Irish economy by 2016. The Plan contains 270 actions and we have delivered 95% of them on time.

The actions have been focussed on:

- Improving Access to Finance

- Developing strong exports from indigenous and foreign businesses

- Improving the competitiveness of all businesses

- Developing the sectors that will drive Ireland’s economic prosperity in the years ahead

The journey of transformation has still a long way to go. However, we are making progress and our plan is reaching its key milestones. We can have confidence that we are on the right track.

International confidence has returned, and the past 18 months have been the best period for job creation by the IDA for a decade. Irish owned business achieved an export growth of over 10% in each of the last two years and are now expanding employment. Overall, in the last 18 months, employment in export orientated sectors grew by 20,000, whereas these sectors had shed 70,000 jobs in the three years before we entered office.

We have also been working to improve the effectiveness of our Department and its agencies as part of the wider challenge of public service reform. We have several projects underway which are designed to deliver a better service from slimmed down structures:

- A plan to radically overhaul the five employment rights bodies (cutting the number of bodies from five to two) will deliver a better service for workers and employers, and savings for the taxpayer

- A plan to reform our support for small business through the creation of a new division in Enterprise Ireland to specifically support the small business sector, with new Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) operating out of local authorities and working to an Enterprise Ireland policy agenda, and the dissolution of the 35 city and county enterprise boards

- The merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency

- The strengthening of our policy making capability by integrating Forfás into the Department and driving key policy processes like the Action Plan for Jobs

Below are some highlights of the past 18 months. I am currently preparing the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs on behalf of the Government and will be exploring further measures which can be taken to transform the economy and support job creation. I would welcome any input from Fine Gael members. An online submission form is available here: http://www.djei.ie/publications/2013APJ_Proposal_form.pdf

Working together, I am certain we can succeed in creating a strong, sustainable economy that creates jobs and opportunities for our young people.

Kind regards.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Bruton TD

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Job Creation

• The IDA has had a record 18 months in terms of jobs - 20, 000 gross new jobs, with key investments in Dundalk (Paypal -1,000 jobs), Limerick (Northern Trust - 400 jobs), Galway (EA Games - 300 jobs), and Cork (Apple – 500 jobs).
• Enterprise Ireland companies have increased exports by 25% in the past two years, reachingthe highest level ever. A total of 14,000 gross new jobs were secured in the past 18 months including in Kildare (Kerry Group – 800 jobs and 400 construction jobs), and Waterford (Eistech – 250 jobs)
• Almost 145 new High Potential Start Ups will create 2,500 jobs over the next three years across a range of sectors.

Access to Finance

• A new €90 million micro-enterprise loan scheme will provide loans of up to €25,000 to micro enterprise to help create 7,700 jobs over ten years
• A new €450 million temporary partial loan guarantee scheme will encourage additional lending to SMEs.
• Schemes worth €270 million will provide development capital for growth companies.

Improving Competitiveness

• Ireland has improved its competitiveness ranking by 4 places and is now back in the top the 20 most competitive economies in the world.
• The Research Prioritisation Plan targets the State’s core €500million annual research budget to turn good ideas into jobs.
• Cut the administrative burden on business within my own Department’s area of responsibility by over 25% so far, yielding potential savings of €207 million per annum for business.
• Improve company law and make it easier for business – we will allow companies of a certain size to apply to the circuit court for Examinership rather than the High Court, which will reduce costs considerably as a result.
• Encouraging Local Authorities to freeze or reduce commercial rates. All but one Local Authority has frozen or reduced their rates for this year.
• Reduce the cost of Government imposed red tape (an audit of licences is underway).
• We are reducing the number of the Joint Labour Committees by half and making them more responsive to our modern economy by reducing to three the number of pay rates that can be set and removing from JLCs the setting of a Sunday premium

Winning new markets

• Succeed in Ireland provides direct incentives to members of the diaspora and others across the world to create jobs in Ireland.
• The new Potential Exporters Division gives supports to indigenous Irish exporters.
• The foreign Earnings Deduction is a new tax relief to assist companies seeking to expand into emerging markets in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Establish joint IDA/EI group to open up new opportunities for getting Irish companies access to global supply chains and make Ireland a location of choice for international start-ups.

Sectoral Opportunities

• The Female Entrepreneurship Competitive Feasibility Fund of €500,000 will help 20 female entrepreneurs get started.
• A new Health innovation hub will drive collaboration between the health system and enterprise leading to the development and commercialisation of new healthcare technologies
• Research and Development Tax Credit:The first €100,000 of all qualifying R&D expenditure will benefit from the full 25% R&D tax credit from 2012.
• An ICT Skills Action Plan has been introduced to re-skill and up-skill people for job opportunities in the ICT sector
• Manufacturing Development Forum established to progress a transformation agenda for manufacturing enterprises

Very positive first meeting for Constitutional Convention

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has described the first meeting of the Constitutional Convention as a very positive beginning to what will be an innovative and exciting project over the next 12 months. The first meeting of the Convention was held on Saturday, December 1st, in Dublin Castle. Deputy Doherty added that she intends to write to local secondary schools in Meath to encourage pupils to have an input into to the Convention.

“Saturday was an extremely interesting and positive experience, when 66 members of the public joined politicians from all parties to take part in the first session of the Constitutional Convention.

“I am particularly looking forward to the next session in January, which will focus on small round table discussions. I hope this will help to ensure that the ordinary citizens who are taking the time to participate in the Convention will have maximum input. Making your voice heard can be a daunting prospect for people who are not accustomed to public meetings, committees and politics in general. So it’s up to us all to ensure we make the discussions and conversations as accessible and effective as possible.

“I was extremely impressed with the role played by Tom Arnold, who I have no doubt will be a fair, impartial and effective Chairman. Speaking on Saturday, Tom made the point that we need to make sure we reach out to those who may not be represented on the Convention. With this in mind, I intend to write to the principals of secondary schools across Meath to outline what we will be discussing over the next 12 months. I will encourage schools to discuss the Convention during CSPE class, and if any students would like to make a submission they can send them on to me, or directly to the Convention.

“I am delighted to be involved in this process. As the Taoiseach said at the weekend, Saturday’s meeting was an historic event in the political and democratic life of this country. By working together, I am confident that the Convention can compile a comprehensive set of proposals on Constitutional reform.

“At our next meeting, we will get the chance to get our teeth into the first two matters before us; voting age and the Presidential term. I look forward to working with my Oireachtas colleagues and members of the public on the Convention throughout 2013 and I hope that in particular we can get young people involved and interested, and allow them to have an input into this extremely important and worthwhile process.”

Government targets €80billion opportunity for Irish businesses – Minister Bruton

5% increase in global sourcing by multinationals from Irish business would lead to €500million annual boost to Irish economy

Global supply chain of multinational companies in Ireland among initiatives targeted by new Enterprise Ireland/IDA joint team

30 November 2012
The Government is targeting the €80billion global supply chain of multinational companies in Ireland in an effort to help Irish companies win new business, grow exports and ultimately create new jobs, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD announced today [Friday]. This is one of a series of initiatives driven by a new Enterprise Ireland/IDA senior management team established by Minister Bruton under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012.
Today’s announcement took place in Accenture, an IDA client company, which provides an example of the benefits that can be derived by Irish companies from engagement with multinationals. To date, Accenture has engaged with more than 17 Irish companies and a number have won new contracts from this engagement, including Daon, a leading Irish software biometric identity management company.

Multinational companies based in Ireland currently source approximately €80billion in goods and services globally, of which over €11billion currently comes from Irish businesses. The joint team is targeting an increase in this figure in 2013 through measures including:
· Identify 65 multinational companies, which offer particular potential for Irish companies;
· Develop a Joint Strategy by Enterprise Ireland and IDA to target these companies;
· Increased participation by EI clients on inward itineraries by IDA companies;
· Enhanced programmes to support EI clients capability to meet needs of global corporations;
· Additional engagements targeted with key procurement decision-makers within 65 companies.
Aside from global supply chains, the other two major areas targeted are attracting international start-ups and mentoring (see below).
Making today’s announcement, Minister Bruton said:

“A key part of the Government’s plan for jobs and growth is ensuring that we derive more benefit, as an economy, from the amazing group of world-leading multinational companies that have located operations in Ireland.

“Targeting increased links between these multinationals and our innovative Irish exporting companies can achieve two important goals: firstly, it will open major opportunities for Irish companies to secure more business and exports as part of an €80billion global supply chain; and, secondly, it will help us attract more investment from multinationals, by making the capabilities of Irish companies into a key selling point. Even a 5% increase in global sourcing by multinationals from Irish companies would lead to annual benefits of over €500million for Irish companies. I am determined to ensure that ambitious targets are set and met for this important initiative.

“In the short time that this joint team has been in existence it has made significant progress. Necessary research has been done, plans have been concluded and initial actions have been developed, with major benefits to both Irish companies and multinationals as we can see here today in Accenture. The next step now is to build on this progress with a comprehensive strategy to target growth, which is what will happen in 2013. I commend Barry, Frank and all at IDA, Enterprise Ireland and participating companies for their major work on this initiative. I am determined to ensure that in 2013 and subsequent years we will see increasing benefits for the Irish economy and in particular the jobs and growth we need”.

IDA CEO Barry O’Leary said: “IDA client companies work with a range of Irish suppliers and sub-suppliers across a range of sectors. IDA Ireland is committed to acting as an intermediary to create even more of these sourcing partnerships in the future. We are confident that as Foreign Direct Investment grows in Ireland, there will be significant opportunities to increase sourcing relationships between foreign multinationals and indigenous supply companies’’
Enterprise Ireland CEO Frank Ryan said: “Enterprise Ireland would encourage more Multinational Companies as we have seen here today with Accenture, to engage with world class Irish companies and get a sense of the fantastic products and services that can add significant value to their operations both here and globally.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Global supply chains:
The Global Sourcing project has been a major area of focus for the EI-IDA Senior Management team since its establishment in early 2012. In seeking to address the objectives of the Action Plan for Jobs, the Team has focused on an in-depth strategic assessment of the opportunities presented by Global Sourcing, and the development of a joint agency strategy to outline the core actions required by EI and IDA to advance this agenda.

Research was conducted by holding in-depth interviews with MNCs. This process, jointly conducted by EI and IDA, has provided strong evidence to support conclusions regarding the best supply opportunities, which will be addressed in the joint strategy document. Research has also been undertaken across EI client companies and this has highlighted the potential to enhance EI’s offer with client companies to help address capability requirements to win or sustain sales with MNCs.
Extensive third party research and interviews with leading supply chain experts has helped validate our conclusions. IDA has identified 65 operations from its circa 1,000 client companies that will be targeted in the first phase of the drive to secure additional sourcing opportunities from MNCs. Both organisations are finalising a joint strategy paper on Global Sourcing. This joint strategy paper will identify the core actions to be progressed during 2013.
2. Attracting inward entrepreneurs:
The Minister believes there is substantial benefit to be derived from enhanced cooperation between Enterprise Ireland’s activities in seeking to attract mobile international entrepreneurs to locate their businesses in Ireland, and IDA’s activities in targeting high-growth emerging businesses which have already established operations overseas but are looking to internationalise.

An initial aspect of the work undertaken by the EI-IDA Senior Management Team was to drive effective collaboration between respective teams in EI and IDA working on the inward entrepreneurs and emerging businesses agenda. This entailed:
· Developing a common understanding of both agencies’ respective target markets, and putting in place a robust mechanism to ensure that enquiries relevant to the other organisation could be passed on effectively;
· Common messaging and leveraging of marketing collateral to deliver the message overseas that Ireland is an excellent location for early stage companies;
· Sharing of pipelines and referral of potential clients between teams in the EI and IDA.
In order to maximise the impact of both agencies’in this space, joint participation in two events overseas was progressed during 2012. The first such event was Tech Crunch Disrupt, hosted in San Francisco in September. Additionally, plans are well advanced for an EI/IDA presence at the Le Web event in Paris in December.

Plans are currently being progressed between EI and IDA teams as to the focus of marketing efforts and the potential for joint participation at impactful events during 2013.
3. Mentoring, informal adoption and peer-to-peer learning:
Accenture is an exemplar as to how a leading multinational can engage with Irish companies to develop supplier capability and to augment the product offering of the MNC to mutual advantage.
Activities to date:
The client engagement programme with Accenture is making traction for clients in international markets. To-date, over 17 EI clients have engaged with Accenture and it is expected additional companies in other sectors will be identified to engage with the process.

Some initial results:
· Daon –Accenture worked with Daon and its unique technology in biometrics to win deals in India, the US, the EU and Ireland in the border management and public safety space.
· Brite:Bill– Accenture has partnered with Brite:Bill to introduce its innovative bill and document presentation solutions to Accenture clients in postal, mobile operator and government entities globally.
· DataHug– Accenture is working with DataHug to give it access to its global network. Datahug works by using information organisations already have- communication data coming in and out of the business daily. It leverages analytics engines to show who knows who and even how well they know them.

Govt commits to protecting free pre-school year and youth club grants

Fine Gael Meath East TD and member of the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) welcomed a commitment from the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD, to maintain the free pre-school year. Speaking before the Committee today, Minister Fitzgerald also said funding would not be cut for local voluntary youth club grants.

“The Department of Children, like every other Government department, is facing serious challenges ahead of next week’s Budget. The Department must make savings of over €16 million next year, but despite this, the Minister has committed to protecting some significant areas from cutbacks.

“The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which provides children with a free pre-school year, is a hugely beneficial initiative. It not only provides a helping hand to parents in terms of childcare, it is also a very important tool in early educational intervention. Outcomes for children are greatly improved by early stage education. I am very pleased that the Minister has seen fit to protect the scheme, especially at a time when demand is increasing and budgets are falling.

“Funding for local voluntary youth club grants, which was cut last year, will not be cut in 2013, a move which is very welcome indeed. Ensuring adequate supports are in place for our young people in local communities is extremely important, and this is greatly enhanced by the work carried out by voluntary youth clubs.

“The decision to ring fence this funding is an implicit recognition from the Government that investing in youth services paid off. A study, released by the National Youth Council earlier this month, showed that investing in youth work makes sound economic sense. It showed that for every €1 the State spends on youth work, it saves more than double that in the long run. It also found that a quarter of young people here participate in a youth club or organisation.

“Despite severe economic constraints, the Government is committed to the importance of youth services. Extra funding will be made available next year for youth cafés, recreation facilities and other youth projects. For example, €1.75 million will be made available for play and recreation facilities next year, which will be of significant benefit to families.”

Help make 'Tiny Dancer' Ireland's Christmas No. 1 for the Sunni-Mae Trust

Many of you will have already heard of The Sunni- Mae Trust set up to assist Lily-Mae Morrison, a 4 year old Galway girl who is suffering from a rare form of cancer called Neuroblastoma, which often requires treatment outside of Ireland. To date, the campaign has raised ■120,000. We now need your help to raise more money to help other families affected by Neuroblastoma and to research possible treatments and cures.

Lily-Mae is the daughter of dancers Judith Sibley and Leighton Morrison who are best known for their work with Chrysalis Dance and Youth Ballet West.

Recently a group of Ireland's most popular music stars gathered to record the Elton John song 'Tiny Dancer'. Paddy Casey, Declan O'Rourke, Mary Black, Mundy and Camille O'Sullivan are just a few of the musicians involved along with a choir of over 200 voices drawn from the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) choirs across the country.

To help our ‘Christmas No. 1’ campaign, many of the music stars on the single will join me and Minister for the Arts, Jimmy Deenihan TD for a photocall outside Leinster House on Thursday, November 29th at 11.30am. I would be grateful if you could spare a moment to come out and express your support for this worthy cause.

See Tiny Dancer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pnZBjcBFgg and purchase it on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/album/tiny-dancer/id576441815?i=576441894

Shocking domestic violence figures reveal what is going on behind closed doors

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Tuesday) said that the domestic violence figures released by Safe Ireland reveal with devastating clarity what is happening to women and children in homes across the country. The figures show that the number of women receiving support from domestic violence charities has more than doubled in the last five years.

“These are devastating figures, which paint a very bleak picture of the reality facing thousands of women and children in homes right across Ireland. Every day, domestic violence is ripping lives apart. Even for those women who get help for themselves and their children, there is a long term impact that can take years to reverse. Long after the physical scars have faded, victims of domestic abuse deal with emotional and developmental trauma that cannot be easily erased.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of women and children seeking help over the last five years. One can only presume that the pressure on families due to the economic crisis is having a significant impact. People can act completely out of character when faced with incredible stress; however there can never be an excuse for perpetrating physical or emotional abuse, regardless of the personal circumstances.

“The high level of phone calls received by support services, with many repeat callers, underlines the need for on-going support. It is a credit to the agencies involved that the number of women receiving face-to-face supports has increased by 68% since 2007.

“Breaking the silence is key to tackling domestic violence. We need to consider how we address this problem as a society. It cannot be simply attributed to a negative knock-on effect of our challenging economic situation; when the country was awash with money women and children were still being abused in their own homes. We should all ask ourselves; would I offer a neighbour who I believed to be at risk at helping hand, or would I turn a blind eye? This isn’t someone else’s problem, it is everyone’s problem.

“As a Government, we must strive to make choices that do not penalise those in need of support services. But as well as this, we must also reform the system. The new Child and Family Support Agency, which will be up and running in the New Year, will allow for intervention at an early stage to deal with issues like domestic violence. New models of delivery will also ensure full integration between State services and voluntary resources.

“Introducing a more transparent family court system, as flagged by the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter TD, will also help to lift the lid on domestic violence. We need to know what is happening in families in crisis if we are to bring about a change in how we tackle this problem. Victims of domestic violence must be given the courage to come forward, and the knowledge that they will be responded to with support and compassion.”

Doherty looking forward to playing her part on the Constitutional Convention

Women’s issues to be considered by Convention

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Friday) said that she is looking forward to playing her part on the Constitutional Convention. Deputy Doherty was speaking after the Fine Gael delegation on the Convention was announced yesterday evening. 

“It is very exciting to be included in our first ever Constitutional Convention, which will bring together politicians and citizens to consider possible changes to the Constitution like never before. It is a great privilege to be asked by An Taoiseach to serve as one of the Fine Gael members on the Convention. 

“We all have a duty to ensure we get the most out of this process. In the run up to its formation it has been criticised for being nothing more than a talking shop. That is an insult to the 66 members of the public who are being selected at random to take part. Politicians from every political party will also be involved, ensuring we have a wide variety of views, opinions and experience to add to the process. 

“The Constitutional Convention is one of the many methods this Government is employing to introduce significant reform. The Convention will first consider reducing the voting age and shortening the Presidential term. I think it is a very good idea that we begin the process with two topics that are relatively uncontroversial. In this way, if there are any teething problems with the way the Convention is being conducted, we can address them at an early stage. 

“The Convention will report on these first two issues within two months, and over the next year or so it will consider a number of other Constitutional issues. 

“I am very glad that a number of the issues listed for consideration under the Convention have particular relevance to women. Ensuring that women are fully represented and respected in public and private life in Ireland remains a constant challenge. The Convention will consider amending the clause on the role of women in the home, encouraging greater participation of women in public life and increasing the participation of women in politics.

“The Constitutional Convention can bridge the gap between politics and the people. We are embarking on an innovative process that aims to equip the Constitution for the challenges of the 21^st Century. I am delighted to be taking part.”

Water Notice - Disruption to the Water Supply - Dunshaughlin Village

Water Notice - Disruption to the Water Supply - Dunshaughlin Village - Monday November 26th from 11:00pm until 5:00 am Tuesday morning

Date Released: 23 November 2012

Disruption to the Water Supply - Dunshaughlin Village

Meath County Council wish to advise consumers in Dunshaughlin Village and surrounding areas, they may experience disruption to the water supply on Monday November 26th from 11:00pm until 5:00 am Tuesday morning.

This is due to essential maintenance works.

Meath County Council regret any inconvenience caused

Government spends more than €2.7 million on flood relief efforts for Meath

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has today (Thursday) said that more than €2.7 million has been allocated this year to Meath County Council for flood prevention works. Deputy Doherty received the information in response to a Parliamentary Question she tabled to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD.



“This year alone, more than €2.7 million is being allocated to Meath County Council to help with flood risk management. Since 2009, almost €16 million has spent on flood prevention works in Co. Meath. Much of this money has been spent on the Mornington Flood Relief Scheme, which is now substantially complete. Other works have also been undertaken on the River Tolka and at Northlands in Mornington.



“We know how damaging flooding can be in Co. Meath. Just two months ago, a housing estate in Bettystown was flooded after very heavy rainfall. Last year the county was also hit by flooding after severe downpours caused terrible damage across the east coast.



“Between now and 2016, the Government will spend a quarter of a billion euro on flood relief measures, which is more than the total spent on such measures in the previous ten years. Considering our difficult economic circumstances, this substantial investment in flood prevention shows the Government recognises the serious personal impact flooding can have.



“While we cannot plan for every natural eventuality, I hope the alleviation and flood relief works being carried out in Co. Meath will help to prevent flooding from having a devastating impact on householders in the future.”

Government approves drafting of legislation to dissolve CEBs and create new and enhanced support model for small business

Ministers Bruton and Perry launch 4 week public consultation on reforms, seek views of small business

The Government this week gave the go-ahead to begin drafting primary legislation to dissolve the existing County & City Enterprise Boards and create an enhanced national micro enterprise support model, delivered through Local Enterprise Offices to be established in each Local Authority office, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD announced today (Wednesday).
Minister Bruton together with the Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry TD, also today launched a four week public consultation on the Government’s reforms of supports for the micro-enterprise and small business sector, and sought the views of all stakeholders, in particular small businesspeople and small business representative groups, to the plans.
The key elements included in this reform programme are:
· Establish a Centre of Excellence for micro and small business supports within Enterprise Ireland
· Establish a network of Local Enterprise Offices in Local Authorities incorporating the enterprise-centric focus of the City & County Enterprise Boards following their dissolution. These Offices will operate under a robust Service Level Agreement with Enterprise Ireland
· Create the best possible local environment for small business by combining enterprise support for business at local level with the business support service and expertise of Local Authorities
· Develop a strong network for entrepreneurship by working with local business and the wider community
Specific targets will be set for the new structures to deliver, including on:
· Increasing the number of and 5-year survival of new start-ups
· Increasing the number of start-ups by women
· Increasing exports from microbusiness and small business
· Increasing job-creation and innovation in the sector
The structure of the new service was laid out by the Government decision of early 2012, based on proposals developed by Minister Bruton and Minister Hogan. The consultation paper sets out further detail on the reform process and Ministers Bruton and Perry are keen to receive the opinions from the micro & small business sector across Ireland on how the changes to be brought about can best provide support to the right people, at the right time and at the right level. Views are also sought on the details of the implementation as well as any innovative ideas for better supports to the sector and better customer service delivery.

Responses to the consultation process will be considered by the Implementation Working Group, which will report to Minister Bruton after the end of the consultation process. Other measures due to be delivered in the coming months include:
· Early December– establishment of Micro and Small Business Division in Enterprise Ireland to develop a Centre of Excellence
· January 2013– launch advance Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)
· April 2013– establish all LEOs on an administrative basis
· Summer 2013– enact enabling legislation
Minister Bruton said:
“Micro and small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy, and employ over a third of all people working in Ireland today. If we are going to create the jobs and growth we need we must provide better supports to this sector so that more of these businesses can start-up, grow, export, and create the jobs we need. That is why as part of the Action Plan for Jobs we have introduced a range of new measures aimed at micro and small businesses, including the ■90million microfinance scheme and the ■450million credit guarantee scheme.
“A key part of this plan is ensuring that micro and small businesses throughout the country have access to the best possible range of supports at all stages of their developments. That is why the Government decided earlier this year on a package of reforms which will ensure that this can be delivered, by creating a Centre of Excellence in Enterprise Ireland to develop best practice in small business support, and a network of Local Enterprise Offices in Local Authorities responsible for delivering these supports across the country.

“Today I am happy to announce that, after substantial work by my Department, Minister Hogan’s Department and all other stakeholders, I have secured Government approval to draft legislation to give effect to these changes. It is also important that all affected parties have the opportunity to have their voices heard on these changes, and I urge people to participate in the consultation process”.

Minister Perry said:
“As Minister for Small Business I am acutely aware, along with my Government colleagues, how important the small business sector is to Ireland and the country’s economic recovery. Government does not create jobs, people and businesses do. The role of Government, and the centrepiece of our plan, is to make it easier for businesses to start-up, expand, succeed, and create jobs.
“This is why as part of the Action Plan for Jobs we are restructuring enterprise supports for the micro and small business sector and more closely aligning the services currently provided by the CEBs and Local Authorities. The new Local Enterprise Offices will act as a first-stop-shop facility for small business at local level and will incorporate the successful CEB model of supporting enterprise, but will also allow the provision of an enhanced role by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities for the wider small business sector.
“It is important that the Government hear directly from people in the small business sector and I would ask people to engage in this important consultative process.”
Written submissions should be submitted by19^th December 2012 to mepu@djei.ie.