Press release
Government Announce Funding to Support Small Business with Online Services
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton TD and Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development Sean Canney TD today announced funding to support a further 1,000 small/micro businesses with funding and 2,000 with training to develop their online capabilities in 2019 under the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS).
The Scheme supports small/micro businesses in developing their ecommerce capabilities through the provision of training, advice and grant assistance of up to €2,500 (subject to match funding). Since launching in 2014, over 5,000 businesses have been granted funding and 12,000 supported with training through the scheme.
In 2019, the government will support over 1,000 businesses with funding and over 2,000 businesses with training as part of the Scheme.
Minister Bruton said:
"There is a digital revolution taking place which is transforming how businesses are interacting with their customers. We must support small businesses in keeping pace with this rapidly changing environment.
"Irish consumers spent approximately €7.8bn online in 2018, with this figure expected to exceed €10bn by 2020. It is of critical importance that small Irish businesses are well positioned to take a share of this market.
"The Trading Online Voucher Scheme provides much needed support in this regard and I am delighted that at least 3,000 small businesses will avail of it in 2019"
Minister of State Canney said:
"Small / micro business is the heart of the Irish economy. We need to ensure that those businesses are equipped to deal with the technological changes which are happening.
"This support scheme is vital to allow small business adapt to the changes and increase further productive growth and job creation."
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is administered by Enterprise Ireland via their national Local Enterprise Office network. Application to the scheme is through the Local Enterprise Office . Further information is available now on the Department's website (www.dccae.gov.ie/tradingonlinevoucher) and from every Local Enterprise Office.
Full details of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme including, including terms and conditions of the scheme, impacts of the scheme, case studies on businesses which have benefitted from the trading online voucher scheme, and details of upcoming information sessions can be accessed on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment's website.