Trading Online Voucher Scheme to help small and micro enterprises
A major expansion of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme will help small and micro enterprises in North Kildare to get their business online, a Fine Gael TD, Bernard Durkan has said.
Deputy Durkan encouraged all suitable small businesses in North Kildare to apply to help meet the ongoing trading challenges stemming from the COVID-19 crisis.
Deputy Durkan said: “The expansion of this scheme is wonderful news for small businesses in North Kildare and all over Ireland.
“Under the Scheme, small businesses can claim up to €5,000 in two grants worth €2,500 each. The Scheme also facilitates subscriptions to low-cost online retailing platform solutions to quickly establish a retailing presence online.
“Local Enterprise Offices received 3 years’ worth of applications in 3 months following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland.
“Following a previous expansion of the Scheme in early April, total additional funding for the Scheme is now almost €20m in 2020.”
“The Scheme is an essential part of our Covid-19 business supports for small businesses, and it is vital that we continue to make it available for enterprises to meet the ongoing trading challenges.
“Thousands of small businesses across the country and many across North Kildare have already benefited from funding under the scheme. The additional funding announced today will mean that total funding for the scheme has been increased by almost 1000%.”
Deputy Durkan continued: “Now more than ever enterprises are relying on their online capabilities to interact with their customers.
“This funding will provide crucial support in these very challenging times. It will also ensure that enterprises are building the capacity now which will see them well positioned to take advantage of the digital transformation into the future, as more and more consumers take their business online.”
“The ability to trade online has become more and more valuable as we move through the phases of re-opening the economy, particularly as we face into a period of reduced capacity on shop floors.
“A quality online presence compliments your existing bricks and mortar business and allows you to advertise and trade to a much wider customer base.
“Online sales have been a lifeline to many SMEs during COVID19 and we have seen major success stories of small businesses actually increasing their sales during the pandemic due to their online platform. We want to make sure that continues.”
“Businesses and companies that remain offline are missing out, not only on the opportunity to pivot their business model in tackling the current challenges, but also in being part of Ireland’s future digital economy.”
Deputy Durkan concluded: “I would like to commend my Fine Gael colleagues, Ministers Heather Humphreys and Richard Bruton, on their strong commitment to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme and to supporting the increasing demand from small enterprises to develop or upgrade their online presence.”
Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) Trading Online Voucher
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) Trading Online Voucher is a scheme, designed to assist small and microenterprises (10 or less employees) by offering financial assistance of up to €2,500 towards training and advice to help businesses trade online. The Trading Online Voucher scheme is administered by the LEOs on behalf of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment as part of the national digital strategy. The support is available to cover 90% of the costs of an online initiative and recipients can claim up to €5,000 in two grants worth €2,500 each. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for businesses. See: localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports
Trading Online Vouchers can be used for:
- development or upgrade of an e-commerce website, such as implementing online payments or booking systems
- purchase of internet-related software – online advertising (subject to limits)
- development of an app
- development and/or implementation of a digital marketing strategy
- consultation with ICT experts
- training and support to develop and manage your online trading activity and subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions,
Changes to the scheme:
On 8 April Minister Humphreys in conjunction with Minister Bruton announced amendments to the scheme intended to boost the numbers of businesses seeking to engage in online trading. The support is available to cover 90% (previously 50%) of the costs of an online initiative and recipientscan claim up to €5,000 in two grants worth €2,500 each.
The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:
Limited or no e-commerce presence;
10 or less employees;
Turnover less than €2m;
Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 Months;
Business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom they make their application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.
Contact the Business Support Call Centre
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19. It can be reached at infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2002.
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Trading-Online-Voucher-Scheme-/
