Supports to Business for Job Creation and Productivity
A range of supports, both financial and non-financial are available from Government Departments, Offices and agencies to assist companies to grow, improve competitiveness, create employment and improve productivity. Some of the main supports which are available are featured below:
Tax reliefs
Revenue Job Assist
Revenue Job Assist allows employers a double wages deduction in their accounts, if they employ a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more. The double wages deduction may last for 3 years and applies to:
- Wages paid to a qualifying employee
- Employer's PRSI contributions paid in respect of such wages
Click here for further detailed information on Revenue Job Assist or call the Employers LoCall HelpLine on 1890 25 45 65.
Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme
Under the Employers' PRSI Exemption Scheme employers can employ an eligible worker without having to pay employers’ PRSI contributions for the first two years of their employment. There is no limit to the number of people that can be employed under the Scheme. The current scheme runs until the 30th December 2011.
Click here for further detailed information on the Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme or contact your local Social Welfare Office (click here for list of Local and Branch Offices) LoCall 1890 66 22 44.
Business Expansion Scheme (BES)
The scheme allows an individual investor to obtain income tax relief on investments up to a maximum of ¤150,000 per annum in each tax year up to 2013. Relief is available at the investor's highest rate of income tax. An investor who cannot obtain relief on all his/her investment in a year of assessment, either because his/her investment exceeds the maximum of ¤150,000 or his/her income in that year is insufficient to absorb all of it, can carry forward the unrelieved amount to following years up to and including 2013, subject to the normal limit of ¤150,000 on the amount of investment that can be relieved in any one year.
In order to qualify, investments must be made in companies engaged in certain manufacturing; service; tourism; R&D; plant cultivation activities; in the construction and leasing of advance factories; or, in certain music recording activities.
Click here for further detailed information on the Business Expansion Scheme or call 01-7024107.
County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) Grants
The County and City Enterprise Boards offer a variety of supports to assist the start-up, development and expansion of micro-enterprises (employing 10 or fewer employees), with priority given to the manufacturing and internationally-traded services sectors.
The forms of financial assistance, which are available, subject to certain restrictions and conditional on an agreed business plan, include the following:
- Priming Grants can cover all business costs directly attributable to starting a new business.
- Business Expansion/Development Grants are available to micro-enterprises to grow and develop the micro-enterprise.
- Feasibility/Innovation Grants are available to micro-enterprises to assist with the cost of necessary pre-start up studies carried out for the purposes of assessing market interest in/demand for a proposed new product or service.
Subject to eligibility criteria, Priming and Business Expansion/Development grants may include Salary Costs for first year of employment. Click here for full details and further information on the County and City Enterprise Boards Grants.
In addition, non-financial business advice, training and mentoring supports are available through your local County Enterprise Board, contact details for which are available at www.enterpriseboards.ie
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland’s investment in its client companies is keenly focused on export and job creation potential. EI has a broad spectrum of supports, which are focused on meeting client companies’ development needs at various stages of development, including the Lean Business Offer which encourages clients to adopt Lean business principles in their organisation to increase performance and competitiveness. Click here for full details and contact information related to the full range of supports available from Enterprise Ireland.
In addition to its existing offer for Irish companies, Enterprise Ireland recently launched a series of new supports with the objective of achieving growth in exports and jobs.
Job Expansion Fund
The aim of the competitive Job Expansion Fund is to assist Enterprise Ireland client companies achieve enhanced growth through increased employment. The fund provides grant support up to a maximum of ¤150,000 towards the recruitment of new employees. Applications for funding will be accepted on a specific call close date and funding will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Competitive Start Fund
The Competitive Start Fund is focused on accelerating the growth of Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial start-up companies that have the capability to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies reach their key commercial and technical milestones. This funding mechanism has been designed to be fast and efficient and incorporates simplified equity agreements. Click here for more information and application details for the Competitive Start Fund.
Clients of Enterprise Ireland should contact their Development Adviser. If you are not a client of Enterprise Ireland, please contact your local Enterprise Ireland office to discuss eligibility criteria.
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
SEAI provide information in their Business Support Centre on how saving energy can help cut your business costs as well as details on resources and financial assistance available to help companies make savings. These include a list of ‘Top Ten Quick Wins’ which outline simple changes that can be made immediately to start saving money based on your type of business and the equipment you use.
Developing a Green Enterprise
In conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland have compiled a guide for business on green enterprise supports: ‘Developing a Green Enterprise’ . The guide provides information on where businesses can go for State agency assistance and support in relation to water conservation, waste prevention, energy efficiency and clean technology.
Accelerated Capital Allowance
The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) is a tax incentive for companies paying corporation tax and aims to encourage investment in energy efficient equipment. The ACA offers an attractive incentive whereby it allows companies to write off 100% of the purchase value of qualifying energy efficient equipment against their profit in the year of purchase. The ACA has been expanded by 20 new technologies. Submissions are being currently invited from Manufacturers and Suppliers. Click here to view the technology criteria.
SEAI also provides a range of other grants and incentives for businesses, details of which are available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
Intertrade Ireland
InterTrade Ireland supports SMEs across the island to develop North/South trade and business development opportunities for the mutual benefit of both economies.
Intertrade Ireland Acumen Programme - Recruitment
InterTrade Ireland’s Acumen Programme is a cross-border business development programme designed to stimulate cross-border sales. It can provide funding to companies seeking to expand their markets by recruiting graduates or experienced sales professionals as well as market research support.
Contact InterTrade Ireland for further information on 028 308 34100 (Newry), 01 8839223 (Dublin) or email acumen@intertradeireland.com.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Údarás na Gaeltachta provides assistance by way of either capital or employment grants to enterprises seeking aid for an initial investment. It may also provide grants for job creation linked to an initial investment for projects in the Gaeltacht.
Capital Grants
Instances where a proposed investment qualifies as an initial investment include the setting up of a new establishment, the extension of an existing establishment, diversification of the output of an establishment into new, additional products or a fundamental change in the overall production process of an existing establishment. Capital grants can be paid for initial investment in material and immaterial assets.
Click here for further information on Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Capital Grants or call 091-503100.
Employment Grants
Údarás na Gaeltachta provides grant aid to businesses to cover the cost of employing staff on a full-time or part-time basis with the amount of aid payable varying with the required skill level and the related cost of staff. The geographic location of a project also impacts on the amount of aid payable. Half of the grant aid is paid when the job commences and the balance is normally paid when the job has been in existence for six months.
Click here for further information on Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Employment Grants or call 091-503100.
Last modified: 16/08/2011
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