The County Enterprise Board has a number of financial supports available to businesses. This section highlights the grant aid. It is best to make direct contact with the Board in order to assess if your particular project may be suitable for financial support.
There are two forms of grant aid available to eligible businesses.
1. Priming Grants for business at start- up or trading less than 18 months.
2. Business Expansion Grants - designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18 month start up period. Micro Enterprises that have availed of a priming grant are not eligible to apply for a Business Expansion Grant until 18 months after the drawdown of the date of the priming grant.
Grant aid is provided on eligible expenditure such as equipment, machinery, buildings, salary costs, marketing, rental costs, utility costs, and business specific training. Grant aid is available at 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of €80,000 exclusive of VAT.
Feasibility Study/ Innovation Grants are provided to assist businesses in assessing the viability of a particular proposed business venture. This can include actions such as prototype development, technical design, market research and business plans. Feasibility studies are awarded up to 60% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum available grant of €20,000 exclusive of VAT.
Any expenditure incurred before a project is approved is ineligible for assistance, even if the project is subsequently approved.
Eligible Enterprises for Grant Aid support
1. Projects, which conform to the Boards Enterprise Plan and meet the criteria, set for State and E.U. funding.
2. Projects, which fit into the Board’s Enterprise Plan.
3. Enterprises with an employment potential of up to ten persons, but excluding existing enterprises which already have a relationship with Enterprise Ireland, I.D.A. or Udaras na Gaeltachta.
4. Projects, which can demonstrate that there is a market for the proposed product or service and that it is capable of becoming commercially viable.
5. Projects, which have the capacity to create direct employment or sustain existing employment.
6. Adequate finance must be available to fund the project's start-up and operating costs
7. The promoter / s of the project must possess sufficient management and technical capacity to implement the proposed business project.
It is recommended that should you have a specific query in relation to grant aid that you make contact directly with an executive of the Enterprise Board.