Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available to small businesses, many of whom are already struggling and will not survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8272/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to developing Ireland’s enterprise base by backing small businesses and start-ups, scaling up indigenous firms.

I encourage any small business to contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) for support, advice and guidance. The LEO plays an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and contributing to jobs growth within towns and communities across the county. The LEOs provide a signposting service for all government supports available to the SME sector and can provide information/referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols.

The LEOs can provide consultancy and grants to small businesses of all sectors, in the areas of Green, Digital and Lean. These grants are focused on providing capital to assist in implementation of recommendations to digitalise or decarbonise a business. These grants will also enhance the productivity and improve the competitiveness of small businesses and can help to lower costs in the long term.

I would also encourage any small business owners looking to avail of government support to consult the National Enterprise Hub (NEH), which launched in July 2024. The NEH has been designed as an entry point to aid business owners find relevant supports and help for their business.

The hub brings together information and resources on over 230 government supports from 23 different departments and state agencies which can be accessed through the new online hub or by speaking to a member of the team of advisors by phone or via live chat. The NEH is called out in our new programme for Government as an important tool for businesses that we will continue to support.