Written answers

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase funding for the trading online voucher to help sole traders upgrade their online presence through their local enterprise office in view of the fact Dublin City Council has reached capacity. [17748/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

 The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is managed by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Scheme offers advice and peer-to-peer support and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.The Scheme was launched nationally in mid-2014. By end 2019, some 6,400 small and micro businesses had completed, or were in the process of completing their trading online projects. In addition, 19,000 or so business owners-managers had benefitted from advice and peer-to-peer support through their participation in the information seminars delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices under the Scheme.

In response to Covid-19, funding for the Scheme in 2020 was increased from €2.3m to €19.8m, and new flexibilities were introduced including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one.

There has been high demand for the Scheme and my Department in liaison with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland is working with the LEO network to address that demand. The Scheme remains open for applications. Funding for the Scheme is kept under review.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.