ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the extent and nature of financial assistance offered and paid to LEDU firms over the period and assesses the value for money of Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) assistance. It discusses that some methodological issues are undertaken. The chapter analyses the comparative employment performance of LEDU firms compared with the control groups and provides estimates of the degree of deadweight associated with LEDU assistance. It provides estimates of the net additional employment effect of LEDU assistance. The chapter also discusses some of the policy issues arising from the analysis. It presents one methodology for measuring regional development agencies, or business development agencies effectiveness and the results demonstrates that it is possible to provide some quantification to a sometimes highly charged political debate. The chapter also assesses the effectiveness of LEDU's impact on small firm performance in Northern Ireland over the 1989-94 period.
