Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1276. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of trading online vouchers allocated in the first quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19929/17]

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1277. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of trading online vouchers that were allocated in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19932/17]

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1278. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding allocated to the trading online vouchers scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19933/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1276 to 1278, inclusive, together.

My Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme, administered by the national network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices, offers a financial incentive of up to €2,500 along with training, mentoring and networking support, to help small and micro enterprises to trade online. 

Over 3,300 vouchers have issued to successful small businesses since the launch of the scheme in mid-2014. In addition, more than 7,000 businesses have benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information and training seminars delivered by the LEOs.

Some 1,150 businesses were approved for trading online vouchers during 2016.  I have allocated €3m to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme in 2017 to support 1,000 more small businesses to trade online. Between January and mid-March 2017, 196 applications had been approved under the scheme. 

The scheme is helping to revitalise small businesses, including sole traders, from across a wide range of sectors including retail, arts, crafts and design, manufacturing, food, and professional services.  An evaluation of the enterprise impacts of the scheme which I published in May 2016 shows that the scheme is helping small businesses to grow on average by 21%, increase employment by 35%, and 3 in 5 begin to export.  Digital trade is contributing to sustainable regional economic development, with both urban and rural based businesses benefitting equally from the online opportunity.

My Department is currently scoping initiatives to build on the success of the scheme, putting Ireland further ahead of our European counterparts in realising the benefits of selling goods and services online. 

In collaboration with the Local Enterprise Offices, my Department is delivering a series of regional events to showcase the benefits of trading online, provide training and increase awareness of the Government support available. To date, regional events have been held in Roscommon, Cork, Ballinasloe and in Dublin, with Kilkenny and Cavan/Monaghan to follow.