Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional supports will be provided for the retail sector taking into account the particular pressures on this sector due to the increasing prevalence of shopping through international online enterprises and its adverse impact on Irish retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSmall businesses continue to be the backbone of our local and national economies, and we are working to ensure actions aimed at supporting small businesses, including retail businesses, are implemented in an effective and timely manner.
In 2024 the Department of Enterprise introduced a package of targeted supports for businesses to digitalise. These supports are designed to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of small businesses, including retailers.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Grow Digital Voucher offers businesses with up to 50 employees in all sectors up to €5,000 towards deployment of a wide range of digital software solutions. This new offering will cover a wider range of digital interventions available to a broader range of businesses. This includes a range of elements including e-commerce software, e-invoicing software, cyber security software, as well as analytics software including artificial intelligence systems and website development subscriptions.
The LEOs Digital for Business consultancy scheme provides expert digital consultants to help businesses explore technology adoption opportunities. The LEOs are committed to assisting small businesses to engage with Digitalisation and are fully committed to assisting them in achieving basic digital intensity, towards the target of 90% by 2030. This Programme is designed to help small businesses across all sectors to prepare and implement a plan for the adoption of digital tools and techniques across their operations. It provides third party consultancy to assist small Businesses in identifying where they are on their digital business journey and in developing a digital adaptation plan based on their identified needs and is now a prerequisite of applying for the new Grow Digital Voucher.
The Grow Digital Portal, is a website with a 5-minutes assessment that helps businesses, including retailers, to assess their progress on digitalisation and opportunities for improvement as well as presenting relatable case studies of businesses that have benefited from technology adoption.
The broad range of supports for the retail sector, including training programmes and funding to help retailers adapt to new challenges and opportunities in retail can be found on the National Enterprise Hub.
