Streamlining of State support for small businesses will help them reach their full potential – Collins

Fine Gael Cork North West, Áine Collins, has welcomed the Government’s proposal to streamline the system of State support for micro and small businesses across the country.

“The decision to dissolve the existing County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and to transfer their functions to Enterprise Ireland will make access to State support much easier for micro and small businesses, as well as for our entrepreneurs.

“Ease of access to supports is crucial in providing our indigenous businesses with the help they need and is key to encouraging entrepreneurship. We know that 70% of new jobs created will come from new businesses, so having a one-stop-shop facility for businesses, through the news system of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will help speed up the process greatly and ensure that there’s a consistency in service.

“This more central model of assistance will ensure that uniform approach to service delivery is maintained and all businesses will receive the best advice possible through the provision of a world-class service. By making advice and guidance easily available to our entrepreneurs we can help them to chart the best way forward for success and future development.

“This is a significant improvement on how the State provides support and shows how much the micro and small business sector, which employs 650,000 nationally, is valued and how important indigenous businesses are to our economic recovery and growth down the line.”

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