Minister for Small Business welcomes the appointment of Business Development Managers to 37 Community Enterprise Centres

Local communities play central role in supporting economic development and enterprise

“Today’s announcement that Business Development Managers will be appointed to 37 Community Enterprise Centres (CECs) across the country is a welcome measure to provide support for entrepreneurs in communities across the country”, said Minister for Small Business, John Perry T.D.

Minister Perry was speaking following the announcement by Minister Richard Bruton that Business Development Managers are to be appointed to 37 CECs as part of a €2M programme aimed at growing businesses in communities around the country.

“Jobs are a top priority for Government and local communities play a central role in supporting economic development and enterprise at local level. At the end of the day, it is not the Government working alone that is going to lead our economy to recovery. It is business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers - people who are willing to innovate and take chances.

“This Government has a commitment and a responsibility to get Ireland working again and today’s announcement relates to a key commitment under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. The Action Plan clearly shows the commitment Government has to implement change and reform in a step by step approach, to re-energise the economy, to meet the challenges of recovery and to focus on developing the conditions which will support the creation of jobs across all regions of the country.

“Today’s announcement by my colleague, Minister Richard Bruton will deliver practical support to entrepreneurs by providing them with additional support to start up a new business and to create employment.

“When it comes to promoting prosperity through job creation, the role of new enterprises can hardly be overstated. Entrepreneurship activity provides the Irish economy with increased levels of innovation in the market place, increased productivity, cost efficiency as well as employment.

“The Community Enterprise Centres Scheme has supported the development of local entrepreneurship in urban and rural locations since 1989 and the Business Development Managers will help to continue the success of the CECs by building business links, driving entrepreneurship locally and thereby help to create an environment where employment can grow in communities across the country.”

ENDS

For full listing of Centres Approved under the Community Enterprise Development Programme Awards 2012 please see: http://www.djei.ie/press/2012/20120614.htm