Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme to benefit local communities - Minister Micheál Martin
€ 7 million for Local Initiatives in next 3 years
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin, today (Tuesday 3 January 2006) announced the extension of the Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme. "I have approved the allocation of €7 million in the period 2006 - 2008 aimed at promoting community enterprise in areas that lack existing enterprise space, have experienced significant job losses, or have a poor history of enterprise development. The Scheme is aimed at meeting the needs of communities to grow local enterprises." The Minister said.
"In the Enterprise Ireland Strategy: Transforming Irish Industry published this year, the identification, establishment and development of High Potential Start Up companies, is a major objective for achieving regional balance. Ensuring the provision of essential business infrastructure such as incubation space is a practical measure to support this objective. Enterprise Ireland encourages entrepreneurship at grass root level through its support for Community Enterprise Centres. These Centres provide a supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs and serve to help the development of entrepreneurship at the local level", Minister Martin said.
"The Scheme aims to enhance the development of an enterprise climate in areas where it may be lacking or under-developed. To date Enterprise Ireland has approved over €34m and paid out over €22m for some 137 CEC projects including new CECs (107) and expansions to existing CECs (30). Of the 137 projects: 20 are at various stages of planning or construction; 112 are located outside Dublin city; 8 projects were completed in the Regions in 2004 and 3 have been completed in 2005 to date", The Minister Martin added.
The announcement by the Minister extends the 2002 Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme. It will be competitive and will be implemented through a public call for proposals to be advertised nationally. Enterprise Ireland will work in close co-operation with all the relevant state agencies in implementing the initiative.
(This press release is also available on the Department's website www.entemp.ie)
ENDS
ETE 1475
Notes to Editors:
" There are currently 95 Community Enterprise Centres funded by Enterprise Ireland nationwide.
" They accommodate 840 businesses that employ 3,800 people.