Published on
Local authorities continue to make major contribution to creating a pro-enterprise environment and supporting jobs
"
Local authorities continue to play a leading role in creating a pro-enterprise supportive environment to generate new jobs and sustain existing ones" said Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (today – 18 April 2013) when welcoming publication of the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA’s) report
"Supporting Enterprise, Local Development and Economic Growth – Analysis of Local Authority Activities for 2012" and the database of activities.
Minister Hogan stressed the important role of local authorities in supporting local communities and businesses, stating "The current economic climate demands that we use whatever resources we have at our disposal to return our economy to sustainability and prosperity".
The report is a comprehensive record of activity in local government during 2012 based on over 2,300 individual actions submitted by each County and City Council. The Minister welcomed the report’s recommendations for each local authority to review the National Database to identify areas where good practice can be replicated, or where there is further potential for collaboration, and draft a Local Action Plan which prioritises future action within the functional area of each County / City Council.
The Minister also complimented local authorities on their engagement with stakeholders in facilitating the transfer of the functions of County Enterprise Boards to Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) which, from later this year, will be situated in local authorities. "I look forward to the new LEOs being an important tool for driving national micro-enterprise support policy at local level, said Minister Hogan, and added "local authorities must use their role in the LEOs to maximise economic benefits at local level".
The Minister also announced that a review on implementation of the local government sectoral strategy to promote employment and support local enterprise, "Supporting Economic Recovery and Jobs – Locally", which was published by his Department last June, will commence shortly.
The Minister noted that "local authorities continue to be creative in identifying opportunities to support enterprise", and highlighted the opportunity presented by this Report. "The Report today by the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) is an important tool in identifying and spreading best practice in enterprise and business supports across the country".
"It will also prove valuable in advising Councillors, and the general public they serve, of the opportunities available to their own local authority in supporting enterprise and jobs, as each local authority develops its own strategy to support the Action Plan for Jobs" Minister Hogan added.