The 35 city and county enterprise boards, which were established in 1993, support the development of small enterprises – ten employees or less – through a range of measures, including direct and indirect enterprise supports.
Direct financial assistance is provided by way of: capital grants to a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of eligible fixed assets, or £50,000, whichever is the lesser; employment grants of up to £5,000 in respect of each new full-time job created in an eligible enterprise, subject to a limit of ten jobs; feasibility study grant where a maximum of 75 per cent of the cost of preparing a feasibility study and business plan may be provided, subject to an overall limit of £5,000; as an alternative to direct capital or employment grants, the enterprise boards may take equity in a project subject to an overall maximum financial intervention of £50,000. The boards also provide business information/advice, counselling and mentoring and support for the development of management skills.
I am informed that the person referred to by the Deputy has received capital grant assistance of £3,000 from the Sligo County Enterprise Board in recent years. Although the promoter has recently been in touch with the Sligo board, no further request for grant assistance has yet been made.
