Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
291. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Cork businesses in 2023 and to date in 2024 that have completed courses provided by Local Enterprise offices on accessing public procurement; the measures being taken to make local Cork businesses aware of such courses in public procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29808/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country.
LEOs are the first stop shop for every business in the country. Cork is represented by three offices that cover Cork City, Cork North and West, and Cork South.
LEO Cork North and West provided online training courses in May and November 2023, where 10 businesses from Cork attended both training workshops, including 2 businesses from Dublin and 1 from Donegal.
LEO Cork City organised and provided 3 courses in 2024 on accessing public procurement. These courses titled “An introduction to the new e-tenders platform for suppliers and contractors” were attended by 60 people.
LEO Cork South have a policy to always promote the eTender procurement portal to all clients who are interested in pursuing public tenders. They have two trainers on their training panel for running such courses on their behalf and provide mentor support for anyone who requires support using the eTender portal.
Cork LEOs use a variety of measures to promote and make local businesses aware of these courses including advertising through their social media channels. For instance, a link with the invitation for booking is attached and distributed through various platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. They also use their newsletter to inform their subscribers about the courses and an email is circulated with the invitation to the course with the mentors from their existing panel. There is also direct referral of clients during client engagement sessions and word of mouth referrals from other clients who would have previously undertaken training.
