County & City Enterprise Board
Encyclopedia
Ireland
's County & City Enterprise Boards (CCEBs) were established in 1993, as companies limited by guarantee, during a time of high unemployment (15.1%) and limited opportunity for business. They were given statutory status
under the Industrial Development Act of 1995. Essentially they were created to stimulate economic development
and to cultivate an ethos of local entrepreneurship
. While their role is primarily a local one within a broader national strategy, their importance has been raised to an international level by the emphasis placed on entrepreneurship, innovation, incubation and balanced regional development by the European Union
.
The primary goals of each enterprise board are designed to stimulate and promote local enterprise culture and entrepreneurship and to assist new business start ups
, particularly through the provision of financial assistance. It also encourages the expansion and growth of existing small businesses through a range of measures such as training and mentoring
.
The Irish economy
has always relied heavily on its export
s and in that respect, the County & City Enterprise Boards actively support those companies with a potential export capacity. Once a company reaches its export potential, Enterprise Ireland will incubate
that company going forward. Ireland also depends heavily on its indigenous small and medium enterprises, (SMEs) for internal economic growth. These companies are the primary target for CEB support.
Since 2007, a "Small Enterprise" is defined by Enterprise Ireland
, the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector, as an enterprise that has fewer than 50 employees and has either an annual turnover and/or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €10m. A "Medium Sized Enterprise" is defined as an enterprise that has between 50 employees and 249 employees and has either an annual turnover not exceeding €50m or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €43m.
At present, innovation, research and development, and the development of sound management capabilities are seen as crucial components of business success in the current difficult economic climate. All are supported at local level by the CEBSs.
and part from the European Regional Development Fund
through the two Regional Assemblies: the South and East Region, and the Border, Midlands and West Region.
at local level. The CEBs can support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. The CEBs 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 Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility Study
Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability and development programmes and e-Commerce training initiatives. Details are available through each local CEB.
The basic criteria under which financial assistance is available from the CEBs is based primarily on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size, or proposed size, of the enterprise. The enterprise must be in the commercial sphere, must demonstrate a market for the proposed product/service, must have a capacity for growth and new job creation and must not employ more than 10 people. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and the CEBs must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight (possibility that project may have gone ahead anyway) and displacement (an assisted project might merely displace turnover or employment in competitor firm) arising from a proposed enterprise.
, Ireland's national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation, highlighted the central role the County & City Enterprise Boards have played in the development of local economies through enterprise.
Forfas have published a full copy of this report.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's County & City Enterprise Boards (CCEBs) were established in 1993, as companies limited by guarantee, during a time of high unemployment (15.1%) and limited opportunity for business. They were given statutory status
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
under the Industrial Development Act of 1995. Essentially they were created to stimulate economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
and to cultivate an ethos of local entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
. While their role is primarily a local one within a broader national strategy, their importance has been raised to an international level by the emphasis placed on entrepreneurship, innovation, incubation and balanced regional development by the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Functions
The Enterprise Boards were established to "fill the gap in the support services for local enterprises" and to "develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at local level primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small enterprises”.The primary goals of each enterprise board are designed to stimulate and promote local enterprise culture and entrepreneurship and to assist new business start ups
Startup company
A startup company or startup is a company with a limited operating history. These companies, generally newly created, are in a phase of development and research for markets...
, particularly through the provision of financial assistance. It also encourages the expansion and growth of existing small businesses through a range of measures such as training and mentoring
Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
.
The Irish economy
Economy of the Republic of Ireland
The economy of Ireland has transformed in recent years from an agricultural focus to a modern knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment. In terms of GDP per capita, Ireland is ranked as one of the wealthiest countries in the...
has always relied heavily on its export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
s and in that respect, the County & City Enterprise Boards actively support those companies with a potential export capacity. Once a company reaches its export potential, Enterprise Ireland will incubate
Business incubator
Business incubators are programs designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts...
that company going forward. Ireland also depends heavily on its indigenous small and medium enterprises, (SMEs) for internal economic growth. These companies are the primary target for CEB support.
Since 2007, a "Small Enterprise" is defined by Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish leading state economic development agency focused on helping Irish-owned business deliver new export sales. The core mission of Enterprise Ireland is to accelerate the development of Irish enterprises capable of achieving strong positions in global markets resulting...
, the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector, as an enterprise that has fewer than 50 employees and has either an annual turnover and/or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €10m. A "Medium Sized Enterprise" is defined as an enterprise that has between 50 employees and 249 employees and has either an annual turnover not exceeding €50m or an annual Balance Sheet total not exceeding €43m.
At present, innovation, research and development, and the development of sound management capabilities are seen as crucial components of business success in the current difficult economic climate. All are supported at local level by the CEBSs.
The Board
Each board is made up of voluntary members representing the local authority, local or national agencies and local community interests. The boards employ a small number of staff who deliver board supports in the locality.Funding to the Boards
Funding for the Boards is provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through the CEB Central Co-Ordination Unit under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP). Part of this funding comes from the ExchequerMinister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
and part from the European Regional Development Fund
European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund is a fund allocated by the European Union.-History:During the 1960s, the European Commission occasionally tried to establish a regional fund. Only Italy ever supported this, however, and nothing came of it. Britain made it an issue for their accession in...
through the two Regional Assemblies: the South and East Region, and the Border, Midlands and West Region.
Funding available from the Boards
The CEBs support the development of micro-enterprisesMicro-enterprise
A micro-enterprise is a type of small business, often registered, having five or fewer employees and requiring seed capital of not more than $35,000. The term is often used in Australia to refer to a business with a single owner-operator, and having up to 20 employees...
at local level. The CEBs can support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects have the capacity to achieve commercial viability. The CEBs 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 Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility Study
Feasibility study
Feasibility studies aim to objectively and rationally uncover the strengths and weaknesses of the existing business or proposed venture, opportunities and threats as presented by the environment, the resources required to carry through, and ultimately the prospects for success. In its simplest...
Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance can take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability and development programmes and e-Commerce training initiatives. Details are available through each local CEB.
The basic criteria under which financial assistance is available from the CEBs is based primarily on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size, or proposed size, of the enterprise. The enterprise must be in the commercial sphere, must demonstrate a market for the proposed product/service, must have a capacity for growth and new job creation and must not employ more than 10 people. The CEBs give priority to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector and the CEBs must always give consideration to any potential for deadweight (possibility that project may have gone ahead anyway) and displacement (an assisted project might merely displace turnover or employment in competitor firm) arising from a proposed enterprise.
Statistics
Recent independent evaluation undertaken by Fitzpatrick & Associates, on behalf of ForfasForfás
Forfás is the national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation in the Republic of Ireland. The agency was established in January 1994 under the and is run by a board appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to whom the agency is...
, Ireland's national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation, highlighted the central role the County & City Enterprise Boards have played in the development of local economies through enterprise.
- Supported the establishment of over 13,500 businesses across the country
- Assisted approx 20,000 businesses to increase their sales, employment and exports
- Helped in funding business, which created just under 35,000 jobs
- Led the promotion of an enterprise culture in schools and colleges, with over 10,000 students per annum participating in CEB Enterprise programmes.
- Provided training for more than 72,000 entrepreneurs and employees
- Provided value for money job creation at an average cost of euro 5,500 per job
Forfas have published a full copy of this report.