Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a specific fund is available for disabled entrepreneurs. [25189/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone, including people with disabilities, intending to start or grow a business. In that regard, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as the Department of Social Protection, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Revenue Commissioners, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland.

The Local Enterprise Office grant supports are available to all entrepreneurs provided their business meets the eligibility criteria of the support they are applying for. Direct financial grant aid such as the Priming Grant and the Business Expansion Grant are intended for businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services that can demonstrate growth potential and include salary costs for additional staff as an eligible expense.

In addition, all entrepreneurs can avail of Local Enterprise Office training, mentoring and management development programmes. Furthermore, Local Enterprise Offices can provide additional support to entrepreneurs such as one to one mentoring or accommodations to assist with the completion of grant application forms or to complete training courses such as Start Your Own Business.

Enterprise Ireland is focused on ensuring that supports for entrepreneurs and enterprise are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. Enterprise Ireland continues to invest in additional content, available on the eiLearn platform and are working in conjunction with stakeholders in the LEOs and third level colleges to develop new programmes and initiatives. One such initiative is a course delivered by TU Dublin in conjunction with LEO mentors. This course is open to people with disabilities and who have a business idea that they wish to pursue as a sustainable enterprise.

In addition to the above, the Department of Social Protection provides grants to individuals with disabilities to assist them in their employment. This includes the Reasonable Accommodation Fund which consists of the Workplace Equipment and Adaptation Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant, the Personal Reader Grant and the Employee Retention Grant.