The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are Units within the 31 Local Authorities nationwide and act as a ‘first stop shop’ providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SMEs and can provide information/referrals to other relevant bodies.
I would recommend that anyone looking to start a new business in Ballaghaderreen to first speak to a business advisor in LEO Roscommon as they are best placed to offer advice on the appropriate assistance available, tailored to meet the nature and sector of the business.
The LEOs nationwide offer grant assistance to small businesses operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. However, it should be noted that Local Enterprise Offices cannot provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses in the locality.
The table below sets out some of the grant supports that may be available to a new business starting up. I would recommend that they first contact their LEO and enquire about the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programme, which guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. The objective of the SYOB is to assist clients in assessing their business idea, its viability and help them decide if they should proceed or take a step back.
Grant Name
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Eligible Expenditure
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Max Grant available
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Feasibility Study Grant
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Specific consultancy requirements (50%)
Hiring of expertise from specialists
Design
Patent costs (50%) and
Prototype development costs (50%)
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50% of the investment or €15,000, whichever is the lesser.
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Priming Grant
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Capital items
Salary costs
Consultancy/Innovation/Marketing costs
General overhead costs
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50% of the investment or €150,000 whichever is the lesser. Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 are an exception and only apply if there is potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland.
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Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME)
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Participation at Trade shows (inc. Travel costs and Fees)
Participation at Enterprise Europe Network events
Development of Marketing Materials
Translation of existing Materials
Investigation of new internal or external processes to develop export business
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50% of eligible costs (net of vat) to a max of €2,500 in any calendar year.
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Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVs)
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IT Consultation
Development or upgrade of e-commerce website
Implementing online payments or booking systems
Purchase of Internet related software
Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages)
Development of a digital marketing strategy
Implementing a digital marketing strategy
Training/Skills development specifically to establish and manage online trading activity
Purchase of online advertising
Professional Photography costs
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The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers a voucher of up to €2,500 (with 50% co-funding by the applicant).
Business must be trading for at least 6 months prior to application.
Note: In the event that voucher is approved for Online advertising or photography, the value cannot exceed 80% of other approved costs.
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Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG)
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Meters and installation costs
Smart energy controls
Upgrade lighting to LED (only as part of a package of eligible cost measures)
Replacement/upgrade with more energy efficient system for manufacturing heating processes
Heat recovery
Small wind & hydro subject to feasibility assessment
Equipment (more than 10 years) replacement/upgrade
System components upgrades
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50% of project costs, up to a maximum of €5,000, on completion of a Green for Micro Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit Note: The Energy Efficiency Grant is now enhanced for the retail and hospitality sectors to allow a top up of €3,000 for these businesses, bringing the total grant available to €8,000 and a contribution ratio of 75:25
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