Bizstartup.ie - NewsCEB restructuring plan on the cards

Speaking at the official opening of the new offices of the North Cork Enterprise Board in Mallow, Minister O’Keeffe said it was timely to examine whether the CEB model is performing optimally.

“I believe that dedicated State support for the micro-enterprise sector should continue to be provided and such support should be delivered as close to the client as possible,” he said.

“In the context of the recommendations of the McCarthy Report and continuing pressures on the public finances and staffing resources, I am evaluating the appropriateness of the current structures of the 35 CEBs.

“In these difficult times, it is imperative that we strive to exploit fully the potential for reducing administration and overhead costs, while ensuring that the provision of financial and other services to clients is maximised.”

Separate legal structures present challenges

He said the separate legal structures of the 35 independent CEBs present challenges in terms of staffing rigidities, resource maximisation, rigidities in responding to the impact of the recruitment embargo and general corporate governance issues with consequential effects on standardisation of service provision across the networks.

“An examination of the role and structures of the CEB network brings into focus whether maintaining a network of 35 boards is ideal,” said Minister O’Keeffe.

He pointed out that CEBs have played a pivotal role in stimulating local economic development, helping to create 30,726 jobs in CEB-supported firms between 1993 and 2009.

In addition, significant numbers of people were supported in various management training and capability development programmes.