Written answers

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Grant Payments

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants or financial supports available for a person who is opening a business for the first time as a beautician; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25282/21]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. The Local Enterprise Offices act as a ‘signposting’ service for all relevant government supports available to the SME sector and can provide information/referrals to other bodies under agreed protocols such as Revenue, Micro Finance Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, LEADER, and Enterprise Ireland.

The Local Enterprise Offices offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. Start-up businesses that have not begun trading may avail of the Local Enterprise Office feasibility grant, priming grant and all ancillary support including training, management development and mentoring subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

However, the Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services including beauticians, local professional services or construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.

Businesses which have been trading for at least 6 months may also be applicable for the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, which offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 (maximum value of €5,000 when 50% co- funded by the applicant) to help businesses develop their online trading capability and includes training sessions that cover various topics, such as developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.

The Local Enterprise Offices can also assist clients with applications to Microfinance Ireland for small business loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion and by applying through their Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.

For those new entrepreneurs who are embarking on their business journey the Local Enterprise Offices offer a variety of soft supports such as mentoring and training programmes which enterprises can register for through their Local Enterprise Office’s website and are delivered online with no registration fees.

The Local Enterprise Offices also offer the very successful Start Your Own Business programme, which guides entrepreneurs through the various aspects of business and business planning. The objective of the Start Your Own Business programme is to assist clients and new entrepreneurs in evaluating their business idea, urging them to assess its viability and help them make decisions on whether they should proceed or take a step back.

I would urge anyone looking to start or grow their business to make contact with their Local Enterprise Office to enquire about the supports available to help them on their journey.

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