Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 February 2021
9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new enterprises continue to be funded in various forms in order to address the negative impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9312/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 31 Local Enterprise Offices continue to offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. 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;
- Feasibility Grants, for investigating the potential of a new business idea.
- Priming Grants, to part-fund a start-up and help with direct business costs such as salary, rental costs, utilities, marketing and consultancy costs.
- Business Development grants are designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18-month start-up period.
The Local Enterprise Offices also offer a comprehensive suite of ‘soft’ supports to new enterprises such as
- The Start your Own Business Programme,
- The Mentor Programme,
- Management Training programmes,
- Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro.
The LEO network will continue to drive uptake of LEO offers and supports through the implementation of its ‘Making It Happen’ communications strategy at national level across the brand pillars; Pre-Start, Start & Grow. A national brand campaign under the Resilience & Recovery theme is aimed at supporting those affected by COVID-19, post-Brexit and as a shield against further economic downturns. The campaign will generate awareness of the enterprise pathway with Enterprise Ireland and cross promotion of EI supports to LEOs & LEO clients (in accordance with the programme for Government).
In addition, The Local Enterprise Offices have organised over 200 virtual events for Local Enterprise Week, which will be taking place online from March 1st to March 5th, highlighting the vast supports available to enterprises.
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.
I am continuing to work with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and will continue to monitor and review the measures in place for businesses with the goal of setting our country towards economic recovery. The Government is determined to ensure that businesses will continue to be supported as much as possible.
In that regard, I have also recently announced a new scheme called the COVID Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) which is aimed at those businesses who fall outside the eligibility requirements for CRSS. This new scheme will ensure businesses will be able to access help in meeting some of their fixed costs while suffering significant falls in turnover due to public health restrictions.
These businesses are likely to include businesses within the hospitality sector for example if they do not qualify for CRSS, have a rateable premises and their turnover is significantly impacted.
CBAS will help businesses to remain open and maintain links with their customers. It will help ensure that they are well placed to benefit from the re-opening of the economy over the coming months and maintain choice for consumers.
