Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
333. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grants and funding streams available for co-operative start-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4148/18]
View answerMy Department provides a range of grants and funding streams for ambitious start-ups, principally through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The 31 LEOs are located throughout the country and provide a range of supports for the micro and small business sector. As the “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business, the LEOs:
- provide a sign-posting service to all relevant State supports
- offer direct grant aid to micro-enterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities
- offer “soft” supports in the form of training and mentoring
- assist with loan applications to Micro Finance Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland have a number of targeted supports for start-ups, including co-operative start-ups, that have global ambition the potential to scale and meet Enterprise Ireland’s eligibility criteria. Enterprise Ireland supports companies in regional and rural areas to start, innovate and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. Supports include competitive feasibility funding, mentoring grants and innovation vouchers.
In addition, Supportingsmes.ie is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government supports. By answering 8 quick questions in the Online Tool, a small business can:
- Find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from over 30 different Government Departments and Agencies are available to them
- Obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit
- Locate their nearest Local Enterprise Office to discuss the outcomes of the guide.
