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Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Questions (79)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of grants made to companies in counties Cavan and Monaghan through the online retail scheme to date in 2020. [37532/20]

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Written answers

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.

My Department proposed the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme in response to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgent need for retail companies to achieve a step change in online capability. The Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland. Applicant companies must be indigenous retailers, employing 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.

Further details on this Scheme are available at https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/funding-supports/online-retail/online-retail-scheme/online-retail-scheme.html

185 retailers were funded under the Call One of the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, with a total of €6.6 million awarded. 145 retailers were funded under Call Two the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, with a total of €5.3m awarded. 

To date, Enterprise Ireland has approved 370 companies funding under this initiative to the value of €12.8 million. Within this:

- 4 companies based in Cavan were approved funding totalling €144,421

- 7 companies based in Monaghan were approved funding totalling €271,375.

- Under Budget 2021, provision has been made for €10m in funding for the Online Retail Scheme next year. 

I am committed to supporting the needs of the retail sector in developing their online capability and enhancing their competitiveness and will continue to review supports in this area, working with the industry through the Retail Forum.

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