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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. The 35 boards were created to stimulate economic development and to cultivate an ethos of local entrepreneurship. They were dissolved by the County Enterprise Boards (Dissolution) Act 2014, and their functions transferred to Enterprise Ireland.[1][2]
The Enterprise Boards were established to "fill the gap in the support services for local enterprises"[3] 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".[3]
The primary goals of each enterprise board were designed to stimulate and promote local enterprise culture and entrepreneurship and to assist new business start ups, particularly through the provision of financial assistance.
The Irish economy has always relied heavily on its exports and in that respect, the County & City Enterprise Boards were intended to support those companies with a potential export capacity.[citation needed] Once a company reached its export potential, Enterprise Ireland would incubate that company going forward. Ireland also depends on its indigenous small and medium enterprises, (SMEs) for internal economic growth. These companies were the primary target for CEB support.[citation needed]
Each board was made up of voluntary members representing the local council, local or national agencies and local community interests.[citation needed] The boards employed a small number of staff who deliver board supports in the locality.[citation needed]
Funding for the Boards was provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through the CEB Central Co-Ordination Unit under the National Development Plan 2007–2013 (NDP).[needs update] Part of this funding came from the Exchequer 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.[citation needed]
The CEBs supported the development of Micro-enterprises at local level. The CEBs could support individuals, firms and community groups provided that the proposed projects had the capacity to achieve commercial viability. The CEBs could provide both financial and non-financial assistance to a project promoter.[citation needed] The forms of financial assistance which were available, subject to certain restrictions, included Capital Grants, Employment Grants and Feasibility study Grants. The provision of non-financial assistance could take the form of a wide range of business advice and information services, management capability and development programmes and e-Commerce training initiatives.[citation needed]
