Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the funding and supports in place for a person (details supplied) who wishes to establish a business in the Gaeltacht area of County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that they can offer qualifying businesses and companies from various sectors a range of incentives and supports to start up, develop, expand or locate in a Gaeltacht region. Qualifying business sectors include Internationally Traded Services, Audio-visual and Digital Media, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Engineering, ICT (Information Communications Technology), Aquaculture, Language-based Enterprise, Food, Tourism, Arts and Crafts, Renewable Energy and Island Enterprise. (In general Retail, Personal Services, Construction & Local Building and Professional Services are regarded as ineligible sectors).

Funding eligibility and amounts are dependent on the type of business proposed, geographical location, skills level required and the potential employment level of the project. All business proposals, which are assessed on an individual basis, must demonstrate their viability, funding and market potential, and must show that the necessary management and technical expertise is available to establish the new industry or service on a stable foundation. A detailed business plan must also be submitted for assessment. Guidelines on preparing a business plan are available onwww.udaras.ie. Applications for all grants must be made and approval must be obtained in writing from Udarás na Gaeltachta before starting the relevant project (or any part of it) for which a grant may be requested. The decision lies with An tÚdarás as to whether grant aid is approved for a particular project.

The level of grant aid available for projects is governed by European Union State Aid Guidelines. All Údarás na Gaeltachta supported businesses must agree to promote and develop the use of Irish in their activities.

The following is a list of incentives and supports available from An tÚdarás (subject to EU State Aid Guidelines and De MinimisGuidelines):

1. Development of Microenterprises

2. Capital Grant

3. Employment Grant

4. Training Grant

5. Marketing Grant

6. Consultancy Services Grant

7. Research and Development Grant

8. Feasibility Study Grant

9. Funding Grant for R&D&I

10. Rent Subsidy

Further details in respect of these initiatives are available at or by contacting Údarás na Gaeltachta directly on 091-503100.

In the interest of completeness, I should also say that a number of Enterprise Ireland Schemes are available to Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies. Further information on these schemes is available at:

Finally, I would strong encourage the person referred to by the Deputy to contact the Kerry Regional Office of Údarás na Gaeltachta directly on 066-9150100.