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Annual Report for the year ending 31st December 2009 Investing in your Future
Supporting the Creation &
Development of Local Enterprise

Mike Cantwell Asst. CEO & Mairead Barron St. Joseph's Sean Gallagher, Ned Toomey CEO & Secondary School Doon, Co. Limerick Agnes Relihan Business Advisor New Horizons Networking Event with Mid NSEA 2009 - Aimee Landers, St. Joseph's Secondary West Enterprise Boards School, Doon, Co. Limerick

Chairman's Foreword Report of Chief Executive Officer The Structure of the Board Measure 1 – Selective Financial Assistance Measure 2 – Entrepreneurial and Capability Development Customer Care Charter Accounts & Financial Statements Limerick County Enterprise Board, Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick
Tel: 061 496520 Fax: 061 583954 Email: [email protected] www.lcoeb.ie

Chairman's Foreword 2009 was a very challenging In addition to the Dell crisis, the Board with its staff of four year for Limerick County continued to roll out its own range of enterprise supports to Enterprise Board for several the SME sector in the county. During the year, 2010 people reasons. The country was attended over 65 training programmes organized by the officially acknowleged as being Board and 21 businesses were approved for direct financial in recession, the banking crises deepened and unemployment figures nationally soared I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the C.E.O. Ned Toomey to approximately 450,000. and his staff in offering a professional and dedicated In County Limerick the enterprise support service at these challenging times. I would announcement by Dell that also like to acknowledge and thank my fellow Board members 3,500 employee's were being and the Evaluation Committee for their help and support made redundant sent shock during 2009.
waves throughout the city and county at every level. Dells decision to relocate its computer assembly operation to Poland also had a profound impact on many small and medium indigenous businesses that sub-supplied into Dell and their employee's.
To meet this challenge, a working group called Tus Nua was set up in which Limerick County Enterprise Board played a very active role. The working group with support of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation was successful Jimmy Feane
in securing EGF Funding of €22 million to support ex Dell employee's who wish to be retrained or start a business. The Enterprise Boards in the region will administer the roll out of the enterprise development portion of the fund to business start-ups promoted by ex Dell employees. The Board ran eight Start Your Own Business courses in Dell for Dell Employee's facing redundancy and these were well received. Report of Chief Executive Officer Following on from the these packages of direct financial supports should prove more downturn in 2007/2008, beneficial for entrepreneurs looking to either start a new 2009 was yet another business or expand an existing one.
challenging year for the Board. I am confident that The Board continues to support communities in the County we utilized the resources to develop Enterprise Centres. These centres are proving available to us for maximum very successful in supporting start up business and creating benefit to our clients and employment in towns throughout the County. Two more are for this I would like to thank due to be completed in 2010 in Kilmallock and Broadford. the Board, the Evaluation Tenants have been identified and both will be fully occupied Committee and the Staff for once completed.
their support, commitment and effort during the year.
The main challenge in 2010 will be the roll out of the EGF fund. The Board has put the structures in place to meet the The Chairman outlined the Boards response to the Dell demands of the Dell workers who wish to set up a business. situation and our efforts and commitment to this task are We are confident that Limerick County Enterprise Board will ongoing. One of the other challenges that he mentioned was utilise all funds available to it from the EGF Fund and ensure the banking crisis and its affect on credit availability for SME's. the majority of start ups will be successful.
For a number of years now we have referred to the lack of flexibility in what can be supported by the Board under its measure 1 direct financial supports. In 2009, these supports were radically changed from mere Employment or Capital grants to a comprehensive package of supports under the following headings, Feasibility/Innovation Grants, Priming Grants, and Business Expansion Grants. Under these headings, qualifying businesses can apply for Ned Toomey
grant support in respect of feasibility, product development, Chief Executive Officer employment, capital expenditure, rent, professional fee's and marketing costs. When backed by sufficient resources and a comprehensive range of relevant training programmes, BackgroundLimerick County Enterprise Board is one of 35 Boards The County Enterprise Boards are funded under The established throughout the State under the Operational Innovation & Knowledge Economy of Ireland's EU Structural Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development Funds Programmes 2007-2013 1994/1999 and given legislative status by the Government under the Industrial Development Act 1995. The Board This measure is designed to support the development and consists of 16 members appointed by the Minister for competitiveness of local enterprise and promote the move Enterprise and Employment and these members represent the of such enterprise up the value chain. The funding for this different interests in County Limerick as follows: measure includes support from the European Regional Development Funds. • Members of Limerick County Council
Under the micro enterprise measure, two different areas of • Social Partners (IBEC, SIPTU, Farming Organisations) 3
action are prescribed under which County Enterprise Boards • Nominees of Agencies (Teagasc, FÁS, Fáilte Ireland,
are permitted to issue funding. The two measures are as County Manager, Enterprise Ireland) • Ministerial Nominees
MEASURE 1
• Other Nominees (Ballyhoura Development Ltd.,
Selective Financial Intervention: financial assistance to projects.
West Limerick Resources Ltd.) MEASURE 2
The Board held its inaugural meeting on the 5th October Entrepreneurial and Capability Development: training, 1993. It was incorporated in the Companies Office as a promoting an enterprise culture and mentoring.
Company limited by guarantee on the 26th September 1994. The raison d'être of County Enterprise Boards was described by the then Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr. Ruairi Quinn T.D., at the launch of County Enterprise Initiative in Autumn 1993 as follows: "The objective of the County Enterprise Boards will be strategic and the funding available to them should provide a new source of much-needed support for local enterprise initiatives. The County Enterprise Boards have been given clear enterprise and job creation objectives and are responsible for business areas not already covered by the State Industrial Development Agencies." The Structure of the Board
The Structure of the BoardThe Board has a total membership of 16 and constitutes The Board is supported by an Evaluation Committee of 5 a local partnership of elected representatives, the social members, which makes recommendations to the Board in partners, community representatives, the employers sector and relation to applications for grant assistance. The members of
representatives of State Agencies. The Board members are
the Evaluation Committee are:
as follows:
James Feane
Assistant County Manager Judy Tighe
Allied Irish Bank, Newcastlewest Enterprise Ireland Shay Riordan
West Limerick Resources Limited Sean Murphy
Business Consultant Limerick Co. Council Limerick County Council Mary Rogan
Bank of Ireland, Limerick Limerick County Council Executive and administrative back-up to the Board and the Carmel Fox
Ballyhoura Development Evaluation Committee is provided by a staff of 4 persons.
Mary Kelly
Ministerial Nominee Ned Toomey
Chief Executive Officer Ministerial Nominee Assistant Chief Executive Officer Limerick County Council Mary Harty
Limerick County Council Liam Woulfe
Mary Wixted
Enterprise Ireland L-R: Mary Rogan, Sean Murphy, Catherine Hogan, Judy Tighe, Oliver Killeen.
Measure One
Selective Financial Assistance
Measure OneThe following are the statistics in relation to applications received and processed by the Board during the period 1st January, 2009 to the 31st December, 2009. While most of the Capital/Investment projects approved subsequently went ahead, in some cases the promoter decided not to proceed.
Applications Received 1/1/09- 31/12/09
Business Expansion Grants: Capital/Investment Jobs Created
Refundable Grant Aid: Business Expansion Grant: The mandate given to County Enterprise Boards includes the creation of jobs, full-time, part-time or seasonal and the maintenance of employment in existing small enterprises. The additional jobs created by the Board since October 1993 amounts to 948 full-time and 107 part-time jobs (1011 full-time equivalents). Details of all approvals and payments are Capital/Investment set out later in the report.
Refundable Grant Aid: Business Expansion Grants: Approvals By Category
From 1/1/09 To 31/12/09
Loughill, Co. Limerick Athea Home Made Sausages €21,500 Abbeyfeale Industrial Estate, Design & Build Mechanical, Automated Machines.
Rivervalley Foods Rearcross, Co. Limerick Newcastle West, Co. Limerick Medical Supplies Shop Ballysimon Industrial Estate, Cast Polymer, Marble & Ballymacashel, Mungret, Co. Service of Aircraft Engine Eureka Manufacturing Fold Away Ironing Centre Dromkeen, Co. Limerick Hospital, Co. Limerick Tricycle Interactive Roselawn House, National Multi Media Solutions Technology Park, Limerick Clarina, Co. Limerick Software Development Station Rd., Newcastle West, Ceramics Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Electronic Solutions Oakleigh Wood, Dooradoyle, Artisan Foods Dernish Avenue, Foynes, Bespoke Furniture Tara Oil Depot, Industrial Est. Light Engineering Dock Road, Limerick 1 The Glen, Ballyneety, Post Mastectomy Wear Feohanagh, Co. Limerick Outsourced Administrative Refundable Grant Aid Capital Broadford, Co. Limerick Enterprise Centre Community Enterprise Centre Business Expansion Grant Global Fine Foods Bruree, Co. Limerick GRAND TOTAL:
Payments By Category
From 1/1/09 To 31/12/09
Amount paid in 2009
Irish EMS Ltd.
Synthetic Marble Products Aero Aviation Inspections Jet Engine Maintenance Amount paid in 2009
Broadband Provider McSweeney Sports Surfaces All Weather Surfaces International Events Tricycle Interactive Employment Refundable Amount paid in 2009
Alternative Energy Solutions Refundable Account Capital Amount paid in 2009
Young Nurseries Ltd Nursery Automation System Business Expansion Grants Amount paid in 2009
Global Fine Foods GRAND TOTAL:
Measure Two
Entrepreneurial and Capability Development
Measure TwoTo complement the direct financial supports offered during Start Up Business
2009 and assist small business in meeting day to day 20 Start Your Own Business courses were run in total in 2009. challenges Limerick County Enterprise Board provide a wide The programmes were run in a variety of locations throughout range of "soft" supports, which are designed to meet specific Limerick County to ensure accessibility. The programmes were business needs. The soft supports are also known as Measure run in two formats- One evening per week for 5 evenings 2. The range of soft supports on offer through Limerick and cover such topics as business planning, market research, County Enterprise Board in 2009 ranged from training marketing, legal and financial issues and a full day start up programmes, work-shops, seminars, mentoring services, boot camp which was very intensive but allowed individuals trades show assistance, specialist training and web grants. All to gain as much start up information as possible in one day. training & mentoring programmes are business-specific and Franchising workshops were held to inform those interested in flexibility of approach is the key consideration involved. becoming a franchisor of the pros and cons for entering this business model.
In 2009, Limerick County Enterprise Board rolled out a wide range of training and mentoring services throughout the Programmes were run specifically for the unemployed and County for small business development, and 2,010 attendees those facing redundancy. Nine Start Your Own Business made use of this service. Total expenditure in 2009 was courses ran in the Dell facility in Raheen, with over 150 Dell €378,824 of which €23,411 was spent in respect of 2008 employees attending. All training were made available free programmes that were completed in 2009. The remaining of charge to unemployed persons. Business Idea Generation balance of €355,413 was spent on in excess of 65 training workshops were held to assist persons who were struggling to programmes, mentoring, trade show attendance, web site format a business idea. grants and second and third level business education. Training was provided for both start up and business development and was dispersed around the County – Templeglantine, Raheen, Rathkeale, Castletroy, Kilmallock, For the more established business, a variety of programmes Adare and Newcastle West. were also available. Accurate accounting is vital to the success of any small-scale business and to assist the small business The following is a brief description and summary of some of owner in this area courses were run on Financial Management these initiatives.
for the Owner Manager, Taxation for Self Employed, Computerised Accounts for Beginners & Advanced, Dealing with Banks & Debt issues, Financial Planning In a Downturn, Accounts for non-Accountants, Pricing & Costing, Monthly Management Accounts and Corporate Treasury.
Sales and marketing are the life line of a successful business. To support the small business owner courses were available Networking events also proved to be very popular throughout on a variety of sales & marketing ideas such as Marketing 2009. The development of business networks gained On a Shoestring, Using eBay in your Business (Basic Selling), momentum with a pilot run of "County Limerick Network" Marketing & Sales for Beginners and Search Engine based in Adare. Four networking sessions were run in 2009, with over 40 businesses attending at each session. In addition, a collaborative Mid West Networking event was run with Clare Developing People Skills is an integral part of the development CEB, Limerick City CEB and Tipperary North CEB and over 350 of small business – looking after customers and staff. To assist people attended. PLATO network and the Women in Business small business in this area courses were available in Leadership network continued to attract high numbers throughout the Skills and Negotiation Skills.
In addition, a number of established businesses examined their business process improvement through Lean training and Women in Business Network
mentoring, and a workshop was held on Doing Business in China. The Advanced Food Programme, which was a year long In 2009, we joined with the Limerick City Board in delivering programme, was completed.
a City and County Women's Network. Over 200 women attended and listened to a business presentation for approximately 2 hours from a high profile speaker.
One To One Assistance
While training courses allow business people to learn and
Mid West Regional Business Week
prepare for the future, there can often be immediate issues within a business that needs to be addressed and these In 2009, the first Mid West Regional Business week was held issues are tackled through one to one assistance/mentoring. in conjunction with Limerick City, Tipperary North, Kerry and The one to one assistance is offered in a wide variety of Clare Enterprise Boards. The week was sponsored by Bank ways to ensure its availability to as many small businesses as of Ireland. Over 100 small business events were held around possible - mentoring, technical assistance such as Trade show the mid west region for small businesses over 7 days. The attendance, website development and specialist business collaborative nature of the project ensured the success of the week, with a highlight networking seminar delivered by Sean Gallagher.
Mentoring occurred at the business owner's premises. Many established businesses utilised the mentoring support to re-position themselves to survive the economic turmoil. Enterprise Awards
The success of County Limerick Business was acknowledged
through the Enterprise Awards. The National Enterprise
Awards was introduced in 1997 by the County and City
Enterprise Boards. The competition highlights the contribution
that small enterprises make to Ireland's economic development
and acknowledges their role in building a vibrant and Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonbá, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick successful indigenous business sector. The County Winner for St. Fintans CBS, Doon 2009 was Arbutus Foods, Ardagh, who represented County Crescent Comprehensive, Dooradoyle Limerick in the National Enterprise Awards.
Scoil Pól, KilfinaneColáiste Chiaráin, CroomHazelwood College, Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Co. Limerick Limerick County Enterprise Board continued its work of Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West promoting the idea of entrepreneurship as a career path to second and third level students in a variety of interactive methods throughout the year. The promotion of an Limerick Youth Clubs
entrepreneurial culture in second and third level school's, is In 2009 we ran a pilot project with Limerick Youth Service a role that the Board takes very seriously. Our involvement in called "Doing the Biz", to promote idea of business as a the National Student Enterprise Awards at second level and career option through the Youth Service Network in County the role out of sales and marketing seminars at third level with Limerick. Groups from youth centres in County Limerick put colleges such as the Limerick College of Art and Design saw forward ideas for running an event and generating funds for the Board interact with over 800 students during 2009. the local youth centre. Over 40 teenagers were involved. The winners were Kileedy Youth Club, with runners up Knockainey and Abbeyfeale Youth Club.
Second Level
600 second level students took part in the National Student
Enterprise Awards. The Enterprise Awards were launched
Third level Entrepreneurial Support
at a student and teacher enterprise day in the South Court At third level the Board continued its close association with Hotel, Raheen, Co. Limerick which was attended by over four the Department of Food Science and Technology at U.C.C, hundred students from around the county. Skills R Us, from Limerick Institute of Technology and the Limerick College of Coláiste Na Trócaire, Rathkeale, represented Limerick County Art and Design. Limerick County Enterprise Board was directly Enterprise Board at the Senior Level at the National Enterprise involved in the rollout of business led programmes at third Awards in Tullamore 2009. St Josephs, Doon represented the Board at the Junior Level.
Limerick Institute of Technology : Market Link programme – Over 30 students participated in a programme in which they Over 500 second level students attended the Launch day developed a business around a product, and ultimately sell the of the National Student Enterprise Awards. 8 schools are product in Limerick Market.
currently using Gary Lowe, School co-ordinator, on a monthly basis to develop business ideas. The schools who participated Limerick College of Art & Design –Professional Practice in the Awards are: Programme -Over 90 third level students in the Limerick Coláiste Na Trócaire, Rathkeale College of Art & Design participated in the Professional Castletroy College Practice Programme which involved pproviding guest business speakers to rolling out Start Your Own Business and Sales programmes for college students. University College Cork – Food Development Programme –This is an ongoing project with third level students in new product Development. Over 30 students participate.
Tus Nua – A mid west collaborative project with UL, LIT, Enterprise Ireland and FAS Traveller Imitative
The Fás Traveller Initiative in Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale
requested two sessions on Starting a Business. This was
following on from sessions provided in 2008 to similar groups.
Feedback from the organiser was excellent, and the groups
attended and sold produce at a market stall at the University
of Limerick.
Conclusion
Measure 2 Training and Entrepreneurial Development is central
to the role and functions of Limerick County Enterprise Board.
The benefits of grants are greatly enhanced by the provision of
a range of practical and relevant training programmes that are
targeted at areas that will improve management development
and aid better decision making. The Board remains committed
to these goals and the overall improvement in entrepreneurial
activity in County Limerick.
Customer Care Charter
Limerick County Enterprise Board
Customer Care Charter
Objective
The objective of the County Enterprise Board is to discharge To expect that all queries are dealt with in a speedy and the duties and functions entrusted to it by the Minister for efficient manner, while recognising the need to keep to the Enterprise Trade and Employment and in accordance with the minimum any cost which you might necessarily have to incur.
Operating Agreement signed between the County Enterprise Board and the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in an efficient and professional manner at the lowest possible Privacy and Confidentiality
cost to the public while also recognising their right to a To have all information, both personal and business, provided prompt and courteous service. by you dealt with in total confidence and in a manner which respects your dignity.
When you are dealing with the Board staff they will seek to ensure that you are fully informed of all services and facilitated in gaining proper access to these services.
Redress
To expect that any legitimate complaint regarding;
Courtesy and Helpfulness
(a) The improper administration of the functions entrusted to To expect that in all your contacts with the County Enterprise Board, be they in person, by telephone or by correspondence, you are at all times dealt with by the staff of the Board in a courteous and helpful manner; (b) The manner in which an enquiry was processed; which will be dealt with speedily and sympathetically and To be given the name of the official with whom you are in accordance with the Board's Customer Care and Complaints Procedures (see attached). These procedures To be directed to the appropriate official dealing with your are without prejudice to an individual's normal rights in law or to any independent review systems that might be put in place. Information
To be given full and accurate information in simple language
in relation to any query you may raise.
Customer Care and Complaints Procedure
1.0 Introduction
Complaints may be received in person, by telephone or in writing. This procedure ensures that clients (promoters) are dealt 6.1 In Person or by Telephone
with in accordance with the LCOEB Mission Statement The complaint will be referred to the person most and its policy for Quality and its Customer Charter.
able to resolve the compliant; where the person 2.0 Scope
is not available the OA will record details of the complaint on a report and pass it to the person at All LCOEB activities.
the earliest opportunity.
Written Complaints Written complaints will be passed to the CE for his Client - Any promoter, course delegate, visitor or other attention and will be acknowledged by return.
person who avails themselves of LCOEB's services 6.3 The CE will record details of the complaint on a
CE - Chief Executive ACE - Assistant Chief Executive 6.4 Resolution of Complaints
OM - Office Manager Should the CE and his staff be unable to resolve a OA - Office Administrator complaint it will be passed to the Board for their 6.5 The complainant will be written to and informed of
The Board is ultimately responsible for the resolution of a complaint. Other individual responsibilities are 6.6 The OM will monitor complaints and the resolution
documented in the following paragraphs. of them and ensure the Corrective and Preventive 5.0 Client Charter
Action Procedures are implemented. The LCOEB Customer Charter defines the level of care taken by LCOEB to ensure that the customer is properly dealt with.

Source: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Limerick/Publications-Resources/Annual-Reports/Annual-Report-2009.pdf