Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Enterprise Ireland retail scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9885/20]
View answerAs Chair of the Retail Consultation Forum, I am acutely aware that Covid-19 has brought particular challenges for retailers - large and small, across the country. Trading online is a very important route for retail businesses to grow and improve their business in the current crisis and will be an important element in their recovery over the longer term.
The objective of the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme, administered on my Department's behalf by Enterprise Ireland, is to support companies in the indigenous retail sector who have already started an online journey, to further enhance and strengthen their online presence, which will have the most immediate impact enabling them to respond to both domestic and international consumer demand with a competitive online offer.
My Department proposed this Scheme in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need for retail companies to achieve a step change in online capability. Applicant companies must employ 10 or more people, have an existing online presence (e.g. website or social media), and have a retail outlet through which they derive the majority of their revenue. Successful applicants will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project costs. Grants ranging from €10,000 to €40,000 will be awarded under the competitive scheme.
This Scheme is not about taking the first steps; it is about raising the bar, in an informed, planned and strategic way. Further details on this Scheme available at https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/online-retail/online-retail-scheme/online-retail-scheme.html.
The Scheme closed for applications on the 27 May 2020 and applications are currently under assessment by Enterprise Ireland.
The Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme required that all applicants to the Scheme must be registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). There were some automatic technical entry issues in relation to CRO status for a number of applications on entry. The applicant, which the Deputy references, was one of a number of applications which were independently assessed by Enterprise Ireland after the closing date to examine eligibility in relation to their CRO status. I understand that Enterprise Ireland has been in direct contact with all of those applicants, including the applicant in question, and have clarified eligibility of their application. All applicants deemed eligible go forward to be scored under this competitive call, which is in progress.
I am committed to supporting the needs of the retail sector in developing their online capability and enhancing their competitiveness.
