COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 10, 2025

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott

To ask the Chief Executive if consideration will be given to undertaking an economic impact evaluation arising from the roll out of the Power Up Grant - it is noted that 1,208 SMEs in SDCC received grants totalling €4,832,000 in 2025.

REPLY:

The Power Up Grant was established as a national business support initiative by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, introduced in the 2024 National Budget and implemented by local authorities throughout 2025. Designed as a successor to the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grants 1 and 2, the scheme aimed to provide targeted financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) most impacted by rising operational costs.

Eligible businesses—those previously awarded ICOB 1 and 2 grants and operating within the retail, hospitality, and beauty service sectors—received a flat-rate payment of €4,000 under the Power Up Grant. The administration of the scheme was carried out by local authorities in strict accordance with national guidelines issued by the Department.

South Dublin County Council successfully supported 1,208 local businesses, distributing a total of €4,832,000 in grant funding under the Power Up Grant scheme. Both the Power Up Grant and the Reclassification Grant, similar to ICOB 1 and 2, are scheduled for national audit by external auditors in the coming months. The tender process for these audits is currently being prepared by Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. These audits will assess the administration, governance, value for money, and overall effectiveness of the schemes.