Business as usual for enterprise board
Dublin People 09 Mar 2012
THE head of the Fingal County Enterprise Board has assured
that the board is still
“open for business
? despite last month’s announcement
that it and other enterprise boards are
due to be dissolved. The board has been inundated with calls of concern
from local businesses since the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2012 was
announced.
Included in the 270 actions to support job creation is
the proposal to establish a
‘one-stop-shop’ for small business supports, by
dissolving county and city enterprise boards.
In their place will be micro-enterprise and small business
units in Enterprise Ireland that will work with councils to establish a new
network of local enterprise offices in each local authority.
According to Oisin Geoghegan, chief executive officer
of the Fingal County Enterprise Board, the announcement has sparked concern and
confusion among many businesses.
He emphasised that, despite the announcement, the
board remains committed to providing the highest level of support and services
to Fingal businesses.
“Since the news broke, we have received a large number
of enquiries from businesses and entrepreneurs seeking clarification as to how
this decision may affect them,
? he stated.
“I wish to confirm that we are open for business.
“The intention is that the county & city
enterprise boards will migrate into this new structure [of One Stop Shops].
“As yet there is very little detail on matters such as
reporting responsibilities, levels of autonomy, advisory structures and
staffing levels.
“There has been no mention of changes in the range of
services that county and city enterprise boards provide by way of business
supports and the budget line available.
?
Mr Geoghegan is adamant that the role undertaken by
Fingal County Enterprise Board’s Directors and Evaluation Committee, which is
carried out on a voluntary basis, must be brought into any new system that’s to
be developed.
He also warned of the potential pitfalls that may
impact on the new initiative.
“The impending changes represent an opportunity to
improve the efficiency of local service delivery to businesses throughout
Ireland,
? he explained.
“The real challenge will be to avoid creating
labyrinthine structures which quite frankly do not deliver a quality service to
clients and are not an efficient use of limited resources.
“The new approach needs to eliminate duplication,
reduce red tape and introduce synergies into the national enterprise support
structure.
“In Fingal, I have no doubt that the outcome to this
change can be successful, and by success I mean better service, greater
coordination and joined up thinking.
“It is our intention to embrace this change and
facilitate a move forward to an exciting future where entrepreneurs get the
right support and conditions to create and grow businesses that will in turn
create the jobs of the future for our families and citizens.
?
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