Expansion of mentoring and training support would benefit more small businesses and entrepreneurs – Byrne

Mentoring and training supports available through Government backed agencies should be expanded urgently to benefit more small businesses and entrepreneurs, said to Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne.

Senator Byrne was speaking ahead of a special conference organised by Fine Gael to facilitate discussion and engagement with business figures, and to ensure that small businesses and enterprises are supported and can flourish in the years ahead.

Senator Byrne, a member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, said, “Individuals and groups starting their business journey need every support possible, and Fine Gael has and will continue to reward work and enterprise which is crucial to a healthy economy.

“Government backed agencies such as our network of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Enterprise Ireland offer fantastic resources and do great work in helping SMEs to develop and grow. Having served on the Limerick City Enterprise Board for 15 years, I saw first-hand just how crucial these financial supports and range of advice are to businesses.

“In Limerick where our conference will take place on September 24^th, businesses and local representatives are examining new ways of attracting more visitors into the city, bringing vacant buildings back into use and making better use of pedestrian space with the installation of street markets and entertainment events.

“This includes encouraging start-ups and independent retailers to set up businesses in our towns and cities.

“This is where vital Government supports that are available come in to play, and I, together with Limerick City Business Association and the council have been working closely with new and existing businesses on how they can access finance and training and support resources.

“Businesspeople locally have told me that the most challenging aspect of starting their journey is knowing where to ask for help and how to access grant funding they may be eligible for.

“LEOs mainly deal with companies of ten or fewer employees, with Enterprise Ireland providing funding and training support programmes to companies with over 10 employees.

“My colleague, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Damien English, confirmed this week that Enterprise Ireland and the LEOs are developing a framework to extend financial supports to companies involved in manufacturing and internationally traded services, employing more than 10 full time employees.

“As part of this framework, I would like to see training programmes expanded with more funding available to LEOs so that more businesses are eligible for both mentoring and financial support.

“Fine Gael is committed to ensuring there are no barriers to help businesses of all sizes and in all sectors of our economy to grow both on the domestic market and internationally, Senator Byrne concluded.