Local Enterprise Offices

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Ceisteanna (290)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the budget allocation to the digital trading vouchers provided by local enterprise offices, LEOs, in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the 2019 allocation; the amount expended in each such year; and the number of digital trading vouchers provided by LEOs in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county in tabular form. [16039/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for those starting or growing their business. The LEOs can offer financial assistance to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. The LEOs also offer soft supports in the form of training and mentoring, and a signposting service to other relevant state supports.

Micro-enterprises may also avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) from the LEOs. The Scheme offers the opportunity for businesses to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of vouchers of up to €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure.  The Trading Online Voucher Scheme was established under the 2013 National Digital Strategy and represents an example of effective partnership between the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the LEO Network. 

The tables below set out information regarding the amount expended in 2016-2018 and the number of digital trading vouchers provided by LEOs in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by county in tabular form. 

While the LEO Network operates the scheme, it does so on behalf of DCCAE.  Funding for the scheme is provided by the Government through DCCAE. 

  TOV Expenditure by LEO’s in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018

LEO Name	TOV   EXPENDITURE 2016 €	TOV   EXPENDITURE 2017 €	TOV   EXPENDITURE 2018 €
Carlow	32,348	24,206	21,888
Cavan	23,076	29,705	40,942
Clare	54,395	60,587	70,681
Cork City	42,159	45,866	56,916
Cork North & West	80,834	93,612	68,242
Cork South	49,003	64,315	49,830
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	90,649	146,412	127,383
Donegal	39,957	72,672	80,847
Dublin City	168,664	162,169	183,543
Dublin South	56,073	75,507	49,020
Fingal	72,898	106,733	84,739
Galway	78,387	92,735	82,340
Kerry	80,148	91,518	96,700
Kildare	38,383	81,421	45,932
Kilkenny	42,621	57,525	48,980
Laois	46,235	13,234	41,746
Leitrim	16,119	19,303	18,226
Limerick	83,276	101,697	64,736
Longford	13,941	17,743	19,475
Louth	72,068	82,169	81,090
Mayo	38,219	38,642	67,413
Meath	23,489	32,734	49,644
Monaghan	30,103	31,901	31,975
Offaly	34,627	24,180	26,789
Roscommon	37,528	36,653	38,535
Sligo	34,602	40,359	28,547
Tipperary	63,185	49,562	66,240
Waterford	58,558	44,259	67,606
Westmeath	39,098	38,882	40,178
Wexford	73,565	59,810	51,732
Wicklow	87,414	83,514	111,358
TOTAL	1,701,622	1,919,624	1,913,273

Approved TOVS 2016 - Qrt.1 2019

 

LEO	2016	2017	2018	Qrt.1   2019
Carlow	22	12	5	3
Cavan	14	20	15	4
Clare	37	32	33	12
Cork City	35	32	23	13
Cork North & West	55	42	47	16
Cork South	47	35	40	12
Donegal	25	48	47	13
Dublin City	104	140	114	26
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown	74	78	56	20
Fingal	51	51	49	2
Dublin South	37	38	33	7
Galway	54	44	53	16
Kerry	64	59	56	19
Kildare	24	43	40	5
Kilkenny	28	28	39	4
Laois	18	11	23	12
Leitrim	18	12	11	3
Limerick	58	45	24	9
Longford	12	15	13	2
Louth	39	55	42	2
Mayo	22	29	43	10
Meath	11	31	22	10
Monaghan	22	18	19	5
Offaly	14	15	21	1
Roscommon	18	22	23	6
Sligo	27	22	22	5
Tipperary	33	37	40	10
Waterford	49	46	30	9
Westmeath	25	29	26	10
Wexford	45	33	32	11
Wicklow	58	67	66	13
TOTALS	1,140	1,189	1,107	290