Robert Troy
Ceist:101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any Government grants available to traders to refurbish showrooms (kitchens, bathrooms, and so on). [26555/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 June 2024
Ceisteanna (101)
Freagraí scríofa
Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country.
They are the first stop shop for every business in the country and provide a signposting service for all government supports available to small businesses and can provide information/referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols.
LEOs offer direct grant assistance to small businesses, particularly to those who are starting up. However, it should be noted that grants that are specifically designed for growth or exporting are aimed at those in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. These cannot be provided to businesses in areas such as personal services, local retail, or local professional services as it may give rise to displacement of businesses in the locality.
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. These grants also enhance the productivity and improve the competitiveness of small businesses and can help to identify cost savings within a business, freeing up capital to reinvest in other areas. This may be of relevance to the businesses in question.
As the Deputy will be aware, last month, Government agreed a range of measures to assist small and medium size businesses to reduce their costs. Some of the key measures by my Department include increasing the maximum amount available under the Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme to €10,000 and reducing the business contribution rate from 50% to 25%. We are widening eligibility for the Trading Online Voucher, extending it to all sectors up to 50 employees, while also modernising the eligible expenditure and doubling the grant to €5,000.
I would encourage any small business owner/manager to contact their Local Enterprise Office and speak to a business development advisor and avail of the many supports available.