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Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Questions (484)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

484. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if additional funding can be made available to Kildare Local Enterprise Office for the online trading voucher scheme, which is oversubscribed for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9457/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone intending to start or grow a business.  In that regard, the Local Enterprise Offices provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant state supports.

Existing businesses with six months trading and wishing to establish themselves as an online entity, can avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVs). Delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices on behalf of the Department of Communication, Climate Action and the Environment, the TOVs is an initiative under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, which helps small businesses trade more online, to boost their sales and reach new markets. 

In agreement with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton T.D., the scope of the TOVs scheme has been expanded to offer financial assistance of up to €2,500 with reduced co-funding of 10% from the business, along with training and advice, to all micro companies with a turnover of less than €2M who want to establish an online presence for the first time, or who wish to expand a basic existing website to incorporate a more substantive online trading capacity.  

Furthermore, businesses that have previously received and implemented a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.  Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers. The voucher can now also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online.  

My Department proposed these changes to the voucher in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need for companies to achieve a step change in online capability.  

The eligibility criteria which applies to businesses seeking to avail of this includes:

- proof of trading for more than 6 months

- Have no more than 10 employees;

- Have less than €2m in turnover;

- be located in the region of the local enterprise office to whom they are applying.

There has been a tremendous demand for the scheme from enterprises across the country since its expansion and as of the 26th May, there have been over 3,500 applications, the approximate equivalent of 3 years demand in a little over two months. I am engaging with my Ministerial colleague Minister Bruton on the continuation of the scheme.

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