CH22Mindmap

Ch22 Community Development & State Agencies โ€“ Gavin Duffy Business

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๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Community Development
Community Development
A voluntary or professional effort to support and develop the social and economic activity of a local community for the benefit of the community. It is about self-help and enterprise โ€” not depending on government or outside agencies.
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Economic Benefits
Direct Employment
New enterprises create local jobs, increasing income and consumer spending in the area โ€” supporting other local businesses.
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Spin-off Effect
New businesses generate indirect/spin-off employment for local service providers and suppliers โ€” e.g. transport, education, entertainment.
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Enterprise Culture
Seeing local entrepreneurs succeed encourages others to take risks and start their own businesses โ€” creating a cycle of innovation.
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Social Benefits
Sense of Pride
New clubs, businesses and community groups make locals feel proud and empowered โ€” improving wellbeing and identity.
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Community Spirit
Feelings of growth and prosperity replace doom and gloom โ€” people become more involved, connected and positive.
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Slows Depopulation
More local jobs and community groups reduce the need to migrate from rural areas, keeping communities alive.
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๐Ÿช Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)
What are LEOs?
LEOs = the "First Stop Shop" for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Based in every county.
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Mentoring (M)
Experienced business experts shadow and support entrepreneurs with one-to-one advice and guidance.
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Training (T)
Workshops targeting key business skills โ€” business plan, cash flow forecast, digital marketing, payroll.
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Networking (N)
Events allowing entrepreneurs to connect, share ideas and build relationships with partners, suppliers and customers.
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Financial Supports (F)
Feasibility study grants up to โ‚ฌ15,000 (owner must match); priming/expansion grants up to โ‚ฌ80,000.
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Evaluation of LEOs
LEOs have valuable local knowledge โ€” planning regulations, local authority rules, accessibility, procurement and the business environment in a specific area.
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๐ŸŒ Enterprise Ireland (EI)
Core Purpose โญ
Responsible for developing indigenous Irish industry with an export focus. Focused on helping Irish-owned businesses with 10 or more employees seeking to grow international sales.
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Funding & Supports
Provides funding and equity investment for companies โ€” from high potential start-ups through to large companies expanding internationally.
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Networking & Trade Missions
Introduces entrepreneurs to local industry connections and runs trade missions, trade fairs and knowledge events to help Irish companies connect with overseas customers.
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R&D & Third Level
Supports companies and researchers in Higher Education Institutes to develop new technologies โ€” leading to job creation and increased exports.
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๐ŸŒ IDA Ireland
Core Purpose โญ
Responsible for the attraction and development of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland. E.g. Google, Intel, Microsoft, Meta all interacted with the IDA.
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Information & Statistics
Provides information on key business sectors and locations within Ireland โ€” helping international investors make informed decisions.
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Networking & Introductions
Introduces potential international investors to local industry, government bodies, service providers and research institutions.
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Education & Research Links
Builds links between international businesses and Irish third-level education and research centres โ€” ensuring skills and R&D capabilities are in place.
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๐Ÿ”„ EI vs IDA vs LEO โ€” Key Distinctions
Enterprise Ireland vs IDA
Enterprise Ireland: Develops INDIGENOUS Irish businesses with an export focus (10+ employees).

IDA Ireland: Attracts FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) into Ireland.

โš ๏ธ Confusing these is a very common exam error.
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LEOs vs Enterprise Ireland
LEOs: Support small businesses and start-ups at a local level โ€” "first stop shop." Grants up to โ‚ฌ80,000.

Enterprise Ireland: Larger indigenous firms (10+ employees) seeking export growth.
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2025 Short Q12Outline two functions of a LEO in supporting small businesses. (10)โ–ผ
Outline two functions of a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in supporting small businesses in Ireland. (10 marks)
โœ๏ธ Suggested Answer
Mentoring: LEOs assign experienced business mentors to work one-to-one with entrepreneurs โ€” providing tailored advice on all aspects of starting and running a business, from business planning to cash flow management.
Financial Supports: LEOs provide feasibility study grants up to โ‚ฌ15,000 (owner must match) and priming/expansion grants up to โ‚ฌ80,000 โ€” helping start-ups fund key early-stage costs.
๐Ÿ“Œ Use the MTNF memory aid: Mentoring, Training, Networking, Financial supports. Any two of these earn full marks. Always state the function name, then explain what it involves.
2024 Short Q3Explain community development + outline one organisation. (10)โ–ผ
(a) Explain the term community development. (b) Outline one community development organisation.
โœ๏ธ Suggested Answer
(a) Community development: A voluntary or professional effort to support and develop the social and economic activity of a local community for the benefit of that community. It is about self-help โ€” not depending on government or outside agencies.
(b) Local Enterprise Office (LEO): LEOs are the "First Stop Shop" for anyone starting or growing a business. They provide mentoring, training workshops, networking events and financial grants (up to โ‚ฌ80,000) to support local enterprise.
๐Ÿ“Œ The definition MUST reference "self-help" or that it comes from within the community. The workpack flags this as a key point missed by students โ€” without it, the definition is incomplete.
2021 Q2(C)Explain community development + economic and social benefits. (20)โ–ผ
(i) Explain the term 'community development'. (6 marks โ€” 3+3)
(ii) Describe the economic and social benefits of community development. (14 marks โ€” 2@7(4+3))
โœ๏ธ Part (i) โ€” Definition
Community development refers to the improvement of local areas and communities socially and economically through the efforts of local citizens. It is about self-help and the spirit of enterprise โ€” as opposed to depending on external government aid.
โœ๏ธ Part (ii) โ€” Economic Benefits
Direct employment: New enterprises create local jobs, increasing income and consumer spending โ€” supporting other local businesses and improving living standards.
Spin-off effect: Community businesses generate indirect employment for local service providers โ€” transport, education and entertainment businesses see increased demand.
โœ๏ธ Part (ii) โ€” Social Benefits
Sense of pride and community spirit: New clubs and groups make locals feel proud and empowered โ€” replacing doom and gloom with feelings of growth and prosperity.
Slows depopulation: More local jobs and initiatives reduce the need to emigrate from rural areas โ€” keeping communities alive.
๐Ÿ“Œ When asked for economic AND social benefits, always give at least one of each โ€” even if the question doesn't explicitly split them. The MS rewards a mix.
2018 Q3(C)Effectiveness of Enterprise Ireland. (15)โ–ผ
Evaluate the effectiveness of Enterprise Ireland in developing the Irish economy. (15 marks)
โœ๏ธ Suggested Answer
Core purpose (MUST state first): Enterprise Ireland is responsible for developing indigenous Irish industry with an export focus. It helps Irish-owned businesses with 10+ employees to grow international sales.
Funding and equity investment: EI provides funding for high potential start-ups through to large firms expanding internationally โ€” equity investment helps businesses scale without taking on excessive debt.
Trade missions and international offices: EI runs trade fairs and knowledge events that help Irish companies connect with overseas customers โ€” directly driving export growth.
R&D in Higher Education: EI supports researchers in HEIs to develop new technologies โ€” leading to job creation and increased Irish exports in high-value sectors like software and food.
๐Ÿ“Œ The MS requires the core purpose FIRST. "Developing indigenous Irish industry with an export focus" must be your opening line. Starting with any other point before this will cost marks.
2014 Q2(C)Role of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. (20)โ–ผ
Discuss the current role of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA Ireland) and Enterprise Ireland in the development of the Irish economy. (20 marks โ€” 2@10)
โœ๏ธ IDA Ireland
Core (MUST state first): IDA Ireland is responsible for the attraction and development of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland. E.g. Google, Intel, Microsoft, Meta.
Information: Provides information and statistics on key business sectors and locations in Ireland for international investors.
Links: Builds links between international businesses and Irish third-level education and research centres โ€” ensuring skills and R&D capabilities are in place.
โœ๏ธ Enterprise Ireland
Core (MUST state first): Responsible for developing indigenous Irish industry with an export focus (10+ employees). Irish software and food sectors are key areas.
Funding: Provides funding, equity investment and international office access โ€” from high potential start-ups to large firms growing export sales.
R&D: Supports researchers in HEIs to develop new technologies leading to job creation and exports.
๐Ÿ“Œ The first point for EACH agency is a must-have. IDA = FDI attraction. EI = indigenous businesses with export focus. These are the gateway marks โ€” without them, subsequent points may not earn full credit.
2014 SQ1 / 2009 SQ5Benefits of local businesses to communities. (Short Q)โ–ผ
Outline two benefits of local businesses for a local community. (10 marks)
โœ๏ธ Suggested Answer
Direct employment: Local businesses create jobs for local people, increasing household income and consumer spending โ€” supporting other businesses in the area.
Sense of pride and community spirit: Local businesses give residents a sense of pride and belonging โ€” creating a positive atmosphere and encouraging greater community involvement.
๐Ÿ“Œ Label benefits as ECONOMIC or SOCIAL. Even in a short Q, separating them clearly shows the examiner you understand the two dimensions of community development.
๐Ÿ”ฅ HOT Social & Economic Benefits of Local Businesses to Communities
The 2026 workpack flags this as the #1 must-know for Ch22. It was asked as a full question in 2021 Q2(C), as an ABQ in 2018 and 2012, and as short questions in 2024 SQ3, 2014 SQ1 and 2009 SQ5. This topic appears frequently in both short and long format. Know the definition (must include "self-help"), three economic benefits (direct employment, spin-off, enterprise culture) and three social benefits (pride, community spirit, slows depopulation).
Last long Q: 2021 Q2(C). Last short Q: 2024 SQ3. Appears regularly.
๐Ÿ”ฅ HOT Enterprise Ireland & IDA Ireland
The second must-know. Last asked as a full question in 2014 Q2(C) โ€” now 12 years ago. EI effectiveness was asked in 2018 Q3(C). A standalone question on the role of EI and/or IDA is overdue. The MS requires the core purpose as the first point: EI = indigenous with export focus (10+ employees); IDA = FDI attraction. Confusing these two agencies is one of the most common errors in the exam.
Last full EI/IDA Q: 2014 (12 years ago). Very strong candidate for 2026.
โšก WARM LEO Functions โ€” Short Q or Long Q
LEOs appeared in 2025 Short Q12. The workpack includes a sample 20-mark question: "Evaluate the role of LEOs in helping new businesses start up." This could appear as a long question in 2026. Know the MTNF structure (Mentoring, Training, Networking, Financial supports) plus the evaluation point about local knowledge. Grant figures: feasibility up to โ‚ฌ15,000, priming/expansion up to โ‚ฌ80,000.
Last short Q: 2025. Sample long Q in workpack suggests potential for 2026.
โš ๏ธ No ABQ in Chapter 22
Ch22 is in Unit 6. The ABQ technique does NOT apply to Chapters 19โ€“26. Focus on clear definitions, named agencies, and specific examples.
๐Ÿชค The "Self-Help" Definition Trap
The workpack explicitly flags this: the community development definition must reference that it comes from within the community itself โ€” not external government aid. Without the "self-help" element, the definition is incomplete and will not earn full marks.
Good: "A voluntary effort to develop the social and economic activity of a local community through self-help and enterprise โ€” not depending on government."

Bad: "Community development is when the government invests in a local area." โ† This describes government expenditure, NOT community development.
๐ŸŽฏ EI & IDA โ€” The Core Purpose Rule
The 2014 marking scheme states: "Must have the first point below." This means the core purpose is a gateway โ€” if you don't state it first, subsequent points may not earn full credit.
Enterprise Ireland: "Responsible for developing indigenous Irish industry with an export focus, helping Irish-owned businesses with 10 or more employees."

IDA Ireland: "Responsible for the attraction and development of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland."
Always lead with this core purpose, then add funding, networking, R&D and other services.
๐Ÿช LEO Memory Aid โ€” MTNF
Use MTNF to remember the four LEO services:
M โ€” Mentoring (one-to-one expert advice)
T โ€” Training (workshops on business skills)
N โ€” Networking (events to connect entrepreneurs)
F โ€” Financial supports (feasibility โ‚ฌ15k / expansion โ‚ฌ80k)
Plus the Evaluation point: LEOs have valuable local knowledge โ€” planning, regulations, accessibility, procurement โ€” that national agencies cannot replicate.
๐Ÿ“Š Economic vs Social โ€” Always Label Both
When asked about community development benefits, always give at least one economic AND one social benefit โ€” even if the question doesn't explicitly split them. The workpack notes this is a common error.
Economic: Direct employment, spin-off employment, enterprise culture
Social: Sense of pride, community spirit, slows depopulation
๐Ÿ”‘ Keywords That Earn the Marks
self-help spirit of enterprise direct employment spin-off effect enterprise culture sense of pride community spirit depopulation First Stop Shop mentoring feasibility grant โ‚ฌ15,000 expansion grant โ‚ฌ80,000 indigenous Irish industry export focus 10+ employees Foreign Direct Investment equity investment trade missions Higher Education Institutes