Funding boost for enterprise boards

The Government expects to create 450 new jobs with the allocation of extra funds to the country's network of city and county enterprise boards today.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe will announce an additional €3.3m for the boards.

This money will be used to help get startup businesses off the ground, as well as supporting existing firms in creating and protecting jobs.

Mr Cowen and the Minister O'Keeffe claim the funding will help to create more than 450 new jobs in cities, towns and villages across the country.

There are 35 city and county enterprise boards across Ireland which support small enterprises

employing 10 or fewer workers in the start-up and expansion phases.

They provide grant aid, training and mentoring to small companies.