Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
184. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the financial supports available for microbusinesses that do not pay rates to their local council but still have fixed costs to meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16778/21]
View answerThe Local Enterprise Offices were created as a “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports such as training and mentoring to those wishing to start or grow their own business.
The LEOs offer direct grant aid to microenterprises, up to 10 employees, in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within four main categories, following the LEO Lifecycle of Pre-Start, Start and Grow as follows:
- Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea)
- Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up)
- Business Development grants for existing businesses that want to expand.
- Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (as businesses begin exploring foreign markets)
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers financial assistance in the form of a Voucher of up to €2,500 in order to procure expert consultancy advice on trading on-line including website management and is delivered along with training and advice to help business trade online.
The issue of rates compliance or rates arrears has no connection to, or bearing on, the awarding or drawing down of grant aid from a LEO.
The Enterprise Support Grant, administered through the Department of Social Protection, assist’s self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for supports from other similar business reopening grants.
In order to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for firms of all sizes. These supports are designed to build confidence, to further assist businesses in terms of the management of their companies and to allow them to begin looking to the future and start charting a path forward.
The Local Enterprise Offices will continue to adapt their supports to deal with the changing external environment ensuring that they are robust in their offerings to business in tackling existing and emerging economic challenges for new enterprises.
