Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
49. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a breakdown for the current and capital budget allocations for the Digital Start Initiative of the Revised Estimates for 2023; the number of staff required to support the delivery of the initiative; the pay scale of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26444/23]
View answerThe Digital Start scheme is administered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. It is designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. Digital Start will provide strategic interventions for businesses to work with third party consultants to:
• assist them in identifying where they are on their digital business journey,
• develop a digital adaptation plan based on their identified need,
• implement their digital adaptation plan.
Digital Start may be used to obtain digital strategy, technical and/or advisory service from approved providers. The maximum value of the Digital Start award is €4,500 incl. VAT, which equates to approximately 4 days of consultancy. There is no financial contribution from the applicant. The scheme is open to businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors, including those with up to 50 employees. There were 137 Digital Start projects approved in 2022.
There are no staff specifically dedicated to the scheme but its delivery is supported by existing staff across the 31 LEOs; it has a capital budget allocation of €982,900 in 2023.
