COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to update members on supports currently available for Business and Enterprise in our County and may we have a statement? 

REPLY:

Local Enterprise Offices South Dublin provide a range of complementary supports to support people who want to start up or grow a business.  The supports range from providing an initial "First Stop Shop" service where individuals can receive advice on the steps involved in setting up a business, to the provision of grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of a range of soft supports such as training and mentoring.

Financial supports are available to qualifying businesses only, in the establishment and/or growth phase of their business and who employ up to ten people.  Businesses operating in the domestic market (regardless of numbers employed) such as sole traders, micro businesses and small and medium sized companies may avail of the soft supports available from the Local Enterprise Office, such as First Stop Shop, Mentoring and/or Training programmes. 

The range of supports is designed to assist businesses to grow by being able to provide targeted, and appropriate, assistance at each stage of their development. These supports are outlined in more detail in the following sections:

South Dublin South Dublin County Council’s continues to operate

The Business Support Fund

There are four funds specifically designed to address key issues for businesses in the County. Three of the funds support physical works and are aimed at encouraging occupiers to improve the investment potential of industrial estates or units in which they are resident, in particular, those industrial estates experiencing high levels of obsolescence, dereliction, vacancy, and abandonment. One of the funds is specifically aimed at supporting existing small scale businesses and start-up businesses utilising previously vacant units.

https://www.localenterprise.ie/SouthDublin/Enterprise-Development/Business-Support-Fund/

And

The Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme, which is intended to improve the appearance of independently owned shops fronting public streets, making streets and villages in South Dublin County Council’s administrative area more aesthetically pleasing to both residents and visitors. The scheme provides grants for something as simple as painting to replacing an entire shopfront.

The council is working through issuing grants to eligible businesess under the Fáilte Ireland supported Outdoor Seating and Accessories scheme for tourism and hospitality businesses across the County.

The council continues to operate the Tourism Event and Festival Grant funding programme which is aimed at organisations and organisers who plan to hold a public festival or event within South Dublin County Council’s administrative area. The aim is to fund innovative events/festivals that are supported by local businesses and communities which will add value to the County’s tourism product. Key priority areas such as cultural, food, sports and activity-based tourism, aimed at growing the visitor economy are included in the grant offering while adhering to National Health Guidelines.