Collins welcomes Forfás review into mentoring and calls for swift implementation of recommendations

Fine Gael Cork North West Deputy, Áine Collins, has welcomed a new review of mentoring published by Forfás, which supports the key recommendations of a report produced on the same issue by Deputy Collins last year.

“I am very passionate about mentoring and the transformative effect it can have on small and medium businesses. In March 2013, I published a report on mentoring for the small business sector, which was used to inform this new Forfás review. Forfás has put forward a number of key recommendations which chime with my own findings, and I hope that they can be implemented swiftly.

“The benefits of mentoring for the business community are recognised worldwide. By providing expert advice and guidance to fledgling SMEs or to existing businesses, the chance of success is considerably increased. If business people know where the pit-falls are and are equipped to avoid them, they have a much better chance of staying, and succeeding, in business.

“The Forfás review states that there is some superb mentoring being carried out across the country, but it calls for a consistency in approach and suggests that mentoring services should be centralised, which was also a key recommendation of the report I published last year.

“I previously suggested that a new national State mentoring group should be established, and I strongly agree with the Forfás conclusions that centralising mentoring databases and services is the best way forward. The opening of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in every county across the country provides us with an excellent opportunity to standardise and streamline mentoring supports.

“Forfás has also highlighted the need to ensure existing businesses, as well as start-ups, are targeted for mentoring. Again, the presence of LEOs as a one stop shop for state supports for new and established businesses will help to ensure all businesses are informed about the benefits of mentoring.

“Swift implementation of the recommendations in this review is essential. I agree with the suggestion from Forfás that Enterprise Ireland should use our new network of LEOs to embed best practice and professionalism in mentoring services. Enterprise Ireland has been charged with implementing the Forfás recommendations, and I hope this work gets under way without delay.

“With two thirds of all new jobs being created by start-ups, it is essential that we continue to nurture indigenous businesses. Mentoring can help to ensure that those who are already in business remain there and that entrepreneurs are encouraged to commercialise their ideas and make their business goals a success.”

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