Funding and Training Supports
Below is a list of supports available to businesses in South Dublin. You will find information and links to supports from:
Revenue Commissioners
Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)
The TBESS was introduced to support businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas (energy) costs.
Your business can make a claim under the scheme if it:
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is tax compliant
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carries on a Case I trade or Case II profession (this includes charities and approved sporting bodies that carry on certain activities)
and
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has experienced a significant increase of 30% or more in its electricity and, or natural gas average unit price.
Qualifying businesses can claim for:
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40% of the increases in their September 2022 to February 2023 energy bills
and
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50% of the increase in their March 2023 to May 2023 energy bills.
Further information on the scheme is contained in the TBESS guidelines.
Tax relief for Start-Up companies
If you have started a new company, you may be able to apply for tax relief for start-up companies. This tax relief, also known as Section 486C tax relief, is a reduction of your Corporation Tax (CT) for the first five years you trade. The relief can be applied to the profits from your new trade and on chargeable gains made on assets used in that trade.
You may be entitled to relief if your CT due is €40,000 or less in a tax year. If your CT due is between €40,000 and €60,000, you may be entitled to partial relief.
Tax relief for start-up companies also depends on the amount of employer's Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) you pay. This must be a maximum of €5,000 per employee and €40,000 overall.
If eligible you can apply through the Revenue Online Services (ROS)
Local Enterprise Office South Dublin
The Local Enterprise Offices is your local first-stop shop for seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. Whether you are a new entrepreneur or an existing small business owner.
The Local Enterprise Office provides advice, information and support to you in starting up or growing your business and organises events and initiatives to support networking groups.
Please click here for more information on Financial Supports or click here for information on Networking Groups
They also provide training which aims to help young or growing companies improve their chances of survival and growth by offering regular comprehensive courses in Starting a Business, Financial management, Technology, Online Marketing, Social Media, Business Planning.
Upcoming training in May
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Canva -Enhancing Social Media Content - 8th May
A 3hr Beginner to Intermediate look at using Canva to create more impactful social media posts for your business
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Instagram for Business - Advanced 18th May
A morning session on how best to use some of the more advanced tools to successfully market your business on Instagram
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TikTok for Business: Beginners Masterclass 24th May
Learn how to use TikTok effectively to market your business in this morning session.
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How To Easily Start A Business Podcast 25th May
An introductory look at how to podcast and reach new potential customers!
Please click here for these and other Training programmes
National Ploughing Championships 2023 - LEO Client Stand opportunity
The National Ploughing Championships, which are being held 19th to 21st September 2023 in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the quality and high standards of goods and services supported by the Local Enterprise Office.
As part of its National Programme the LEOs are hosting a Local Enterprise Village to provide an opportunity for clients to take full advantage of this unique consumer event. Each LEO has 1 stand available for its clients.
LEO South Dublin is now inviting any clients interested in availing of this stand to complete the following ‘expression of interest’ form before close of business on Friday 5th May. Once your expression of interest form has been received it will be considered centrally and successful applicants will be advised by email in early May 2023.
Expression of Interest Form: If you’re interested in attending as the LEO South Dublin representative business please complete the expression of interest form HERE!
Microfinance Ireland
Microfinance Ireland provide loans of up to €25,000 to small businesses and start-ups based in Ireland. They are supported by the Irish government and the EU. They provide small loans through the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund the purpose of which is to help start-ups and established businesses to get the finance they need for their business.
What is a micro-enterprise?
It is simply a small business (including a self-employed person) with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2m.
These businesses can be helped by receiving unsecured business loans of €2,000 to €25,000 for commercially viable proposals.
Sole Traders, Partnerships & Limited Companies are all eligible to apply.
Click here to register your interest for a Small Business Loan
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. They work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, they support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment.
Below are a list of funds available to businesses – please click the link in each title for more information
The Climate Enterprise Action Fund includes three supports that companies supported by Enterprise Ireland can access to assist on their sustainability journey.
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Climate Action Voucher – a €1,800 grant to engage consultants to develop plans in areas such as resource efficiency and renewable energy.
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GreenStart – up to €5,000 to measure carbon footprint and identify actions to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.
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GreenPlus – grant funding of up to 50pc to develop a multi-annual climate change plan aligned to international standards and frameworks.
The Crisis Response Business Financial Planning Grant is a strategic intervention to assist companies to prepare a detailed financial plan and to assess the impact of currently emerging developments on their business.
As part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Digital Transition Fund will drive transformative digitalisation of enterprise in Ireland, particularly amongst SMEs. The programme will help companies at all stages of their digitalisation journey.
The Evolve Strategic Planning Grant is designed to support our companies to respond to the challenges and opportunities, which have arisen as a result of changes to the trading environment in the UK market.
As part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and funded by the European Union, the Green Transition Fund will accelerate the decarbonisation of Irish enterprise.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
Capital Grants of up to €5m are available from SEAI for energy efficiency and renewable energy
Key existing grants available to retailers are:
and the
Other
The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) is a tax incentive scheme that promotes investment in energy efficient products & equipment. The ACA is based on the long-standing ‘Wear and Tear Allowance’ for investment in capital plant and machinery, whereby capital depreciation can be compensated through a reduction in an organisation’s tax liability.
SEAI’s Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) will offer SMEs a €2,000 voucher towards the cost of a high quality energy audit. In most cases, this will cover the total cost of the audit. Application to the scheme is easy, with automatic approval for eligible businesses.
SEAI provides financial assistance to implement energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects. The Scheme aims to support the direct external consultancy and/or specialist advisory costs related to project appraisal and procurement of pay-for-performance energy contracts.
eTenders
eTenders is the Irish Government’s electronic tendering platform administered by the Office of Government Procurement.
The site is designed to be a central facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities and award notices. For procurement news and for guidance, legislation, and circulars under the National Public Procurement Policy Framework, please visit ogp.gov.ie
Important Update
The national tendering platform will be changing on 15 May 2023.
While both contracting authority and supplier registration details will be transferred to the new platform, users will need to re-input certain details, as well as some additional details, when activating their account on the new platform.
If you are a member of a business registered on eTenders, please view the dedicated eTenders updates page for businesses.