Noel Harrington
Question:242. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding initiatives available from his Department for distilleries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8813/15]
View answerTuesday, 3 March 2015
Questions (242)
Written answers
Enterprise Ireland provides investment to distilleries in the form of expansion, R&D, Management Development and Competitiveness Improvement supports. In addition to any direct jobs created, there is a large number of construction jobs involved as well as ongoing tourism activity arising from Visitor Centres often being situated beside distilleries. Each distillery investment is considered by Enterprise Ireland on a case by case basis regarding its merits, the viability of the business and the return to the economy. Enterprise Ireland (EI) currently has a number of High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) distillery projects under consideration. Feasibility funding has also been given to a number of promoters to assist them in developing business propositions.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop for the provision of a range of financial and non-financial supports to help enterprises at start-up or during business expansion phases. It should be noted, though, that the LEOs generally only grant assist enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector, which over time can develop into strong export entities. In addition, any business can use the LEOs as a gateway to accessing finance from Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-up, newly established or growing microenterprises employing less than 10 people with viable business propositions. The Fund available to MFI has a significant entrepreneurship focus and is open to anyone with a viable business proposal. Applications for the Microfinance Fund should be channelled through the local LEO. Further information can be found on the LEO website at www.localenterprise.ie. Businesses can also access the online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last May. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible.