The County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) have primary responsibility for the delivery of State support to the indigenous micro-enterprise sector i.e. businesses which employ 10 or less workers. The CEBs, through both financial and non-financial assistance, support the sector in the start-up and expansion phases and facilitate entrepreneurial activity at local level. There are three types of grant-aid available from the CEBs:
Priming Grants;
Business Expansion Grants;
Feasibility/Innovation Grants.
A Priming Grant is a start-up grant available to micro enterprises within the first 18 months of start-up. A Business Expansion/Development Grant is available to further grow a micro enterprise while a Feasibility/Innovation Grant is available to assist micro-enterprises with the cost of pre-start up studies carried out to assess demand for a new product or service, the appropriateness of funding plans and the general viability of the venture. The criteria under which funding is available from the CEBs is based on factors such as the sector of the economy in which an enterprise is operating or intends to operate and the size or proposed size of the enterprise.
the enterprise must be in the commercial sphere
the enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service
the enterprise must have a capacity for growth and new job creation
the enterprise must not employ more than 10 people
priority must be given to enterprises in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector which can develop into strong export entities
it is considered inappropriate to support businesses in sectors such as retail, personal services, professional services and construction etc as these generally give rise to unacceptable deadweight and/or displacement within a local area.
While the range of expenditure which is regarded as eligible expenditure for grant-aid excludes the purchase of mobile assets such as commercial vehicles it is, none the less, quite a considerable range including the following;
Capital items including fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs
Salary costs for first year of employment
Rental/Accommodation costs for first year of the project
Utility costs including installation costs for telephone & broadband
Marketing costs including packaging, brochures, trade fairs, website design and development, patent fees and other marketing initiatives
Consultancy costs including design fees, architect, accountant and legal fees
Business training costs for key Personnel central to the growth of the business
Some miscellaneous costs relating specifically to Feasibility/Innovation Grants.
I am confident that the current mix of grant types, the criteria underlying these grant types, and the broad range of eligible expenditure ensures that a significant number of viable start-up and existing micro-enterprises can access significant levels of financial assistance from the CEBs.