Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
488. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the enterprise boards will facilitate initiatives and training programmes for traders and businesses to upskill and improve during and post-Covid-19 phased reopening that do not require the person or company to pay or to go into debt in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9492/20]
View answerThe 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.
To address difficulties with regard to attendance training, the LEOs have moved their new and existing training programmes online. They are now being delivered in the form of free webinars available through the LEO’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel. At the same time, the 31 LEOs have continued to provide the Micro-enterprise sector with a full range of advice and support offerings and continue to process applications for grant schemes such as the Feasibility Study Grants, Priming Grants, Business Expansion Grants and the LEAN for Micro Programme.
The Local Enterprise Offices offer a wide range of free training for business owners, managers and staff to upskill and expand their knowledge during the duration of the pandemic and the post-Covid-19 reopening phase. Examples of the training programmes delivered by webinar include:
- Open your Business Safely Post Lockdown
- Financial Action Planning Post Lockdown
- How to Re-Open Your Business Safely Post COVID 19 Lockdown
- COVID-19 / Selling Through Online Channels
- Business Continuity During & Post COVID19
- COVID19 Return to Work: Key Practical Steps for Business Webinar
- Getting back to Business - Webinar for Retail
- Re-Opening your Hair or Beauty Salon after Covid-19
- Re-Opening your Cafe or Restaurant after Covid-19
- Social Media Tactics During Lockdown
- HR Employment Law - Managing Staff During Covid 19
- Covid-19 Re-Opening & Operating Safely
In addition to the above, the LEOs are offering COVID-19 mentoring appointments, where a client company is matched with an experienced business professional for expert mentoring. This service is now provided at no charge to the client company and appointments are carried out by phone, email or video call.
