The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, today  announced the extension of the Enterprise Ireland Community Enterprise Centre Scheme.  “I have approved the allocation of €7 million in the period 2006 - 2008 aimed at promoting community enterprise in areas that lack existing enterprise space, have experienced significant job losses, or have a poor history of enterprise development.  The Scheme is aimed at meeting the needs of communities to grow local enterprises.”  Martin said.

“In the Enterprise Ireland Strategy: Transforming Irish Industry published this year, the identification, establishment and development of High Potential Start Up companies, is a major objective for achieving regional balance.  Ensuring the provision of essential business infrastructure such as incubation space is a practical measure to support this objective.  Enterprise Ireland encourages entrepreneurship at grass root level through its support for Community Enterprise Centres.  These Centres provide a supportive environment for budding entrepreneurs and serve to help the development of entrepreneurship at the local level. 

“The Scheme aims to enhance the development of an enterprise climate in areas where it may be lacking or under-developed.  To date Enterprise Ireland has approved over €34m and paid out over €22m for some 137 CEC projects including new CECs (107) and expansions to existing CECs (30).  Of the 137 projects: 20 are at various stages of planning or construction; 112 are located outside Dublin city; 8 projects were completed in the Regions in 2004 and 3 have been completed in 2005 to date,” Martin said.