Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1029. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of businesses in Cork county that have availed of the grow digital voucher scheme and digital for business programme since established; the total funding approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57015/26]
View answerThe three Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) based in Cork City, Cork South, and Cork North and West, play an extremely important role, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across Cork City and County.
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.
Digital for Business is designed to help businesses prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across the business. It provides up to 3 days free consultancy where businesses work with third party consultants to identify where they are on their digital journey and develop and implement their digital adaptation plan.
The Grow Digital Voucher was introduced in late 2024 and offers funding of up to €5,000 or 50% of eligible costs for new cloud-based software subscriptions for 1 year, including training and consultancy to set up this software. Based on a Digital for Business report completed within the previous two years, the Grow Digital Voucher can be used to leverage digital tools, boost efficiency, expand reach, and compete effectively, by streamlining operations.
Both the Digital for Business and Grow Digital voucher have seen significant increases in uptake in Cork and this year’s engagement is on track to match or exceed that of last year.
Below are details of the number of clients applications, clients approved, approval amounts, for the Digital for Business programme in County Cork from 2022 to date. Please note the figures for 2026 are provisional.
|
Year
|
Support
|
No. of Client Applications
|
No. of Clients Approved
|
Approved Amount €
|
|
2022
|
Digital for Business
|
18
|
13
|
€52,245
|
|
2023
|
Digital for Business
|
28
|
32
|
€140,925
|
|
2024
|
Digital for Business
|
33
|
30
|
€127,545
|
|
2025
|
Digital for Business
|
102
|
109
|
€355,691
|
|
2026 * 01.01.2026 to 21.07.2026
|
Digital for Business
|
64
|
61
|
€200,367
|
Below are the number of clients applications, clients approved, approval amounts under the Grow Digital programme in County Cork from 2024 to date. The Grow Digital scheme was introduced in late 2024. Please note the 2026 figures are provisional.
|
Year
|
Support
|
No. of Client Applications
|
No. of Clients Approved
|
Approved Amount €
|
|
2024
|
Grow Digital
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
2025
|
Grow Digital
|
26
|
26
|
€83,081
|
|
2026 * 01.01.2026 to 21.07.2026
|
Grow Digital
|
21
|
21
|
€66,161
|
