Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the State enterprise body that a business (details supplied) with an expansion opportunity should make contact with for support; the supports that may be available in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10417/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The LEOs are the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs for the small & micro-enterprise sector. The LEOs are the first port of call in terms of advice, training, sign posting to other support providers and, in certain circumstances, grant support for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business.

The LEOs themselves provide a range of financial and non-financial supports to help enterprises at start-up or during business expansion phases. It should be noted, though, that the LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities. However, there are other non-financial supports available, such as mentoring and training, and the LEO staff can advise as to which supports would be most appropriate to an enterprises’ situation.

In addition, any business can use the LEOs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks. The Fund available to MFI has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO. Further information can be found on the LEO website at .

Businesses can also access the new online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible.

The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at:

The SME Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) was launched in October 2012 in response to numerous calls from business interests. It is a novel Scheme in an Irish context which is continuing to develop a position in the Irish financial arena. The Scheme was introduced by the Government, in the context of its work in restructuring the Irish banking system, and to assist viable SMEs on the margins of commercial lending decisions in accessing credit. It provides a 75% State guarantee to banks against losses on qualifying loans to micro, small and medium enterprises with growth and job creation potential. The Scheme will facilitate up to €150 million of additional lending to eligible SMEs per annum. The main purpose of the scheme is to encourage additional lending to SMEs, not to substitute for conventional lending that will otherwise have taken place. Bank of Ireland, AIB and Ulster Bank are participating in the Scheme and any business seeking to avail of the Scheme can approach these banks.