Taoiseach puts focus on local recovery

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and two Cabinet Ministers were on hand for the national launch of the Local Enterprise Offices in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, yesterday.

A total of 31 enterprises offices will replace 35 City and County Enterprise Boards formerly providing the service. Designed to provide Government support for small business in easily accessible locations, the offices will be operated by local authorities.

Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described small enterprises as the life and backbone of the economy. The Government is focused on making the recovery local and having it felt locally, he told the gathering.

“We want these offices to be embraced as part of the local authorities, to become synonymous with enterprise, with investment,” said Mr Kenny. The new offices will help put the focus on indigenous industries, he said.

Mr Kenny said they are “a fundamental part of creating jobs and giving vent to people’s ideas about creating jobs”.

Minister for Environment Phil Hogan welcomed the integration of county enterprise boards with local authorities and called on local authorities to prioritise job creation.

“Together with the staff of the business support units already in local authorities,” he said the new arrangement “will enable local supports to be delivered to micro-enterprises in a more coherent and joined up way”.

Start-ups
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said "we haven't had an integrated approach to small business and start-ups in Ireland up to this".

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the new enterprise offices would provide easy access to a full range of State supports and services at a local level.

“We have to support small business and that’s really what the Local Enterprise Offices are about, providing that one- stop-shop that will enable people who have an idea for a business or want to grow their business, to get services and support,” Mr Gilmore said.

He expressed “every confidence” that the launch of the enterprises offices would provide future employment and “root” the economic recovery.