Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The critical role of entrepreneurship is fully recognised by Government. The Government's priority is to create the best business environment for innovative entrepreneurs to do what they do best – turning ideas into products and services that will compete internationally with the world's best.

The needs of entrepreneurs are addressed in the analysis and recommendations contained in my Department's Report "Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy – A Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015" and also in the Forfás Report "Making it Happen – Growing Enterprise for Ireland".

Entrepreneurship in Ireland continues to be supported and encouraged by the active and constant pursuit and promotion by the Government of a wide range of targeted interventions by the various State Enterprise Development Agencies.

In particular, the role of the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) is to provide support for small businesses with 10 employees or fewer in the start-up and expansion phases, to promote and develop indigenous micro-enterprise potential and to stimulate economic activity and entrepreneurship at local level throughout the country.

The CEBs deliver a series of Programmes to underpin this role and they can provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter. The forms of financial assistance which are available, subject to certain restrictions, include Priming, Expansion/Development and Feasibility/Innovation grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice such as Programmes covering Business Management, Mentoring, E-Commerce, Enterprise Education, and Women in Business networks. The City and County Enterprise Boards also work closely with the educational bodies to promote entrepreneurship among teachers and students in the educational system

Enterprise Ireland also offers a range of supports to entrepreneurs and early stage start-up companies depending on the nature of their activities and has a close relationship with the City and County Enterprise Boards to ensure potential entrepreneurs are provided with the supports most appropriate to their particular requirements, business ideas and stage of development.

Enterprise Ireland supports start-up companies that have the potential to employ more than 10 and achieve €1m in exports. These are start-ups that are typically highly innovative and are in a position to sell globally from their earliest stage.

Stimulating the flow of new High Potential Start-ups (HPSUs) and supporting their growth is one of the fundamental policies within Enterprise Ireland's overall strategy for indigenous industry. In 2009, Enterprise Ireland supported the business plans of 73 High Potential Start-up companies. These new companies are an integral part of the Government's blue print for the Smart Economy and are from sectors as diverse as life sciences, biotech and medical technology, food, telecommunications and internet services.

The Enterprise Ireland Business Partner Programme aims to commercialise the outputs of publicly funded academic research. The Business Partners Programme identifies experienced entrepreneurs to capitalise on the rich portfolio of research within the academic sector and create start-up companies.

The State has, over the last decade, also made significant investment in development in the broader environment for start-ups. This has included substantial investment in incubators, seed and venture funds, angel networks and mentors.