FAQ's

I am only at the idea stage can I still meet with the County Enterprise Board?

Yes, the majority of Enterprise Boards operate an information service and employ business advisors who will be available to discuss your proposal with you and to identify the most appropriate steps for your to take to move your business idea forward. Staff of the County Enterprise Board will be in a position to direct you towards appropriate soft supports such as training courses, mentors and workshops etc.

Can I be guaranteed confidentiality?

Any discussion between the Enterprise Board and businesses/individuals looking for any type of assistance are held in the strictest of confidence.

How does the County Enterprise Board select a project for grant assistance?

An application form is completed by the client and submitted to the County Enterprise Board.
The initial application is then presented to the Evaluation Committee for assessment, a recommendation is then made to the Board on the levl of assistance to be awarded. Other sources of finance will be taken into account. A project must avoid displacement and dead-weight.

Selection Criteria:

The quality of the project and its local relevance aswell as its economic benefits.
The commercial viability of the enterprise and of the project proposal.
Availability of match funding on the part of the applicant.
The cost effectiveness of the project.
The contribution of the proposal to the development of the enterprise in terms of internal capacity.
Potential for displacement and dead-weight.
Impact on poverty, equality, rural development and the environment.

Priority will be given to manufacturing and internationally traded service businesses, which over time can develop into strong export entities and graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio; tourism projects aimed predominantly at overseas visitors and locally provided services promoted by the unemployed or those recently made redundant and also women re-entering the workforce.

What grants are available from the County Enterprise Board?

There are three types of grants available form the Enterprise Board:

Feasabilty Study Grant to a maximum of €6,350.
Employment Grant up to €7,500 per each new employee up to ten employees.
Capital Grant up to €75,000.

What is a Feasabilty Study Grant?

Feasability study grants may be awarded to assist with the cost of necessary studies undertaken by a promoter of a new or existing business, for the purpose of assessing market demand for a proposed new product or service. It can also be used to assess the appropriateness of the associated funding plans and general viability and sustainabilty of the venture.

The scope of a feasability study may include, consultant's fees incurred on market research, product development, financial evaluation, site assessment and business plan.

How does an Employment Grant work?

Employment grants up to a maximum of €7,500 per employee for up to ten employees may be awarded to qualifying new/expanding enterprises in lieu of capital grants but only in cases where it can be clearly demonstrated that labour shortages do not exist.

An Employment grant is paid in two halves, the first when the person is taken on full-time and registered with the revenue commissioners, the second is payable six months later, if the employee is still in full time employment.

Employers will be required to show that the employee has been registered and is being returned for Income tax.

How does a Capital Grant Work?

A Capital Grant can be obtained towards the purchase of equipment, construction of a workspace or the refurbishment and fit out of an existing building.
A Capital Grant up to a maximum of 50% of eligible investment or €75,000 applies.

How do I go about making an application for a Grant?

A grant application form can be obtained from Leitrim County Enterprise Board, this form should then be completed and submitted to the office of the Enterprise Board in Carrick on Shannon. Once the application has been received enterprise board staff will contact you the promoter to arrange a meeting or to seek additional information.

Can I get assistance with completing the application form?

Enterprise Board staff are available to assist promoters to complete application forms and to inform promotors of any additional documentation required.