Our Business Expansion Funding is designed to assist a micro-enterprise that has been trading for over 18 months. 
It covers 50% of eligible costs, subject to a maximum LEO contribution of €80,000. The level of funding provided is determined by the level of job creation identified in the business plan. Consideration will also be given to sustaining jobs already created that have not been previously grant aided.

Business Expansion Grant Funding: Qualifying Expenses

Expenditure may be considered under these headings:

Capital items: Office equipment, machinery, IT hardware/software and fit-out of workspace. (The Acquisition of land and building and Purchase of Mobile Assets are excluded.)

Salary costs: These costs may include the salary of a promoter and/or employee and apply to the first year of
employment only. The maximum amount allowable under this category is €8,000 per full-time position.

Utility costs: These include installation costs for telephone and broadband. (Mobile phone costs are excluded.)

Marketing costs: These include packaging, brochures, business cards, trade fairs, website design and development.

Consultancy costs: These include fees for design, architectural, accountancy and legal services and patent costs.

Business-specific training: Costs here refer to specialised management or key personnel training programmes that are required to ensure the growth of the business. Such courses should not be otherwise available under the LEO's general training programmes.

Business Expansion Funding - Terms & Conditions

The Business Expansion Funding covers 50% of qualifying expenses (excluding VAT), subject to a maximum LEO contribution of €80,000. An application may comprise costs from one or more of the qualifying expense categories.

Only third party costs qualify, ie activities that a business promoter commissions others to undertake.

An application must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred,
ie any expenditure incurred prior to the grant application date does not qualify.

LEO payment will be made on receipt of proof of payment of all approved expenses.
The VAT element of expenses will not be covered by any grant offer. Payments to state bodies, including local authorities, are excluded.

Successful applicants must draw down approved amounts within the time period specified in the letter of offer.

The approval of all applications and the payment of all monies is dependant upon the availability of financial resources under this scheme from the Department of Jobs Enterprise, & Innovation.

Grant Claim Forms

Please download the grant claim forms below:

01 Supplier Set Amendment Form

02 Claim Form

03 Expansion Grant Drawdown Checklist

04 Authorisation for Department of Social Protection

05 Employment Grant Claim Form

06 Employment Grant Claim Form - Drawdown Salary Form

07 Salary Grant Drawdown Checklist