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 on the Local Enterprise Office South Dublin website under the following:
The government announced two particular support to aid small businesses on their sustainability and their digitalisation journeys. Both grants outlined below are open to businesses with 1 to 50 employees subject to eligibility criteria.
Green for Business and Energy Efficiency Grants
The Energy Efficiency Grant supports the investment in technologies and equipment of enterprises following on from a Green for Business Report, GreenStart Report or a SEAI Energy Audit with 75% of eligible costs from a minimum grant of €750 to a maximum of €10,000. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the impact of enterprises on the environment thereby increasing the agility and resilience of these businesses, to operate in a sustainable manner. The support provided should be to support the recommendations of one of the above reports.
This scheme supports all aspects of sustainability project expenditure associated with the operation of an enterprise including water; energy; circular economy etc. Enterprises should be signposted to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for grant aid in respect of the building they are located in.
Grow Digital Grant
The Grow Digital Voucher, also called the Grow Digital Grant, offers vital financial support to help Irish SMEs thrive in the digital age.
This government-backed initiative, funded by Ireland’s Digital Transition Fund as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, provides up to €5,000 in funding for digital tools and training.
The Grow Digital Voucher empowers SMEs to streamline operations with cutting-edge software, reach new customers through digital channels, and stay competitive in today’s tech-driven market. Along with financial assistance, you’ll receive expert guidance on assessing your digital capabilities and tailored support to enhance your online presence.
All of these supports can be checked out on the www.localenterprise.ie/southdublin website.
South Dublin County Council offer additional supports to retailers and micro businesses.
Shop Front Grant
Retailers can avail of a Shop Front Grant to support renovation and access alterations to their retail unit The Shop Front Grant Scheme is intended to improve the appearance of independently owned shops fronting public streets. Grants are available to improve the look of your shopfront (50% of the overall cost of works). Example Grant with overall approved costs of €1,200: SDCC pay €600 - you pay €600.
Grants are available for something as simple as painting your shop, replacing signage or even replacing your entire shopfront, certain T&C’s may apply.
Business Support Fund
Micro businesses can avail of grant supports for renovation of vacant industrial unts under the Business Support Fund. Two 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. Two of the funds are specifically aimed at supporting existing small scale businesses and start-up businesses utilising previously vacant units. In summary the four funds are as follows:-
Industrial Area Improvement Schemes
This fund applies to groups of businesses that are in a position through a management company or other mechanism to work together to upgrade a wider, larger part of their industrial area.
Individual Unit Supports
South Dublin County Council will also support businesses that wish to upgrade their external, public facing property. The Council will support upgrade works such as boundary treatment, wall repair, painting, landscaping, and other works that contribute positively to the appearance of their premises. Applications can be made on an individual basis.
Microenterprise Development Fund
This fund will apply whereby an owner seeks support to upgrade an existing vacant premises for the purposes of enabling new employment, microenterprise or innovation use.
Microenterprise/Start-up Support (Rates)
In order to encourage new micro enterprise the following graduated “rates holiday” for up to two years is available. Where previously vacant enterprise space, is made available to, and occupied by, a new microenterprise, (less than 10 employees).
Check link Business Support Fund - Local Enterprise Office - SouthDublin