Minister Martin announces ¤5million for new initiatives to help small business
Mr Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Monday 13th November 2006) announced that he has approved three new initiatives to help small businesses. The new initiatives are:
Knowledge Acquisition Grants scheme
Innovation Vouchers scheme
ICT Audits programme
The introduction of these initiatives will boost the productivity of the small business sector by encouraging the sector to more actively embrace innovation and new technology. The Minister is delighted to confirm that his Department has been working with Enterprise Ireland and the County and City Enterprise Boards to design schemes along the lines recommended by the Forum. These schemes are now at an advanced stage of design and small businesses will be able to access the schemes through the relevant agencies in the near future.
Making the announcement Minister Martin said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that funding of ¤5 million will be provided for these new schemes. As I indicated when launching the Report of the Small Business Forum, I am committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Forum to the maximum extent possible. Today’s announcement is a sign of my determination to deliver on the promise of improving the environment in which small business operates”.
The Minister also indicated that he would be meeting with the Small Business Forum shortly to review progress generally in relation to the implementation of its recommendations.
A brief outline of the 3 new initiatives is attached.
ENDS/ETE 1666
Outline of Scheme
Knowledge Acquisition Grants scheme
The Knowledge Acquisition Grants scheme is designed to develop the innovation capability and absorptive capacity of small companies. As recommended by the Small Business Forum, it will be available to clients of Enterprise Ireland. The Small Business Forum’s recommendation is consistent with the thrust of both the Enterprise Strategy Group report Ahead of the Curve and the Government’s Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation for 2006 to 2013, published last June, both of which strongly emphasise the need to improve the awareness and capability of small business to be active in research, development and innovation. Knowledge Acquisition grants will be focused on companies who are formalising their R&D activities for the first time. Grants of up to ¤50,000 will be available on a once-off basis for projects up to 1 year. A wide range of cost elements will be eligible for assistance, such as R&D planning; consultancy or mentor support; R&D training; conferences or site visits; market research; and small capital items.
Innovation Vouchers
The Innovation Vouchers proposal is designed to stimulate innovative activity and generate a culture of innovation within the small business sector. The initiative will enable small enterprises to work with knowledge institutions in researching or development ideas they may have to enable their businesses grow. Arrangements for the scheme, which forms part of the overall implementation of the Government’s Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, are well advanced and the scheme will be formally launched shortly.
ICT Audits
The scheme will, over the next 3 years enable several thousand small businesses to undergo a highly subsidised ICT Audit of their existing systems. At the end of each audit, the business will be presented with a short, clear action oriented and realistic strategy aimed at developing and deploying appropriate ICT skills, systems, hardware and software within the business with the objective of delivering real and sustainable competitive advantage. The scheme will be complemented with a number of seminars at venues throughout the country for interested companies that will outline how new information and communications technologies can benefit their businesses.
Details of the scheme, which will be administered by the County and City Enterprise Boards, are being finalized at present with a view to commencement early next year. ENDS
Last modified: 13/11/2006
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