There is a range of supports available to SMEs and micro-enterprises to assist in tacking the potential implications of Brexit:
Enterprise Ireland Brexit SME Scorecard
The Brexit SME Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars. Based on answers supplied by the user, the Scorecard generates an immediate report which contains suggested actions and resources, and information on events for companies to attend, to prepare for Brexit.
The platform can be accessed at www.prepareforbrexit.ie
Brexit Loan Scheme
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, together with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, has launched the Brexit Loan Scheme. This is a fund of up to €300 million available to eligible Irish businesses and is easier to access, more competitively priced, and offered at more favourable terms than other lendings for such businesses. The scheme is open to SMEs with less than 200 employees and offers loans ranging from €25,000 to €1.5 million per eligible enterprise.
More about the eligibility criteria and the terms and conditions of the scheme can be found here.
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Voucher
InterTradeIreland offers 100% financial support up to £2000/€2000 (inclusive of VAT) towards professional advice in relation to Brexit matters. Eligible expenditure includes professional advice on specific issues such as the movement of labour, goods, services and currency management. SMEs with 250 employees or less and a turnover of less than €50 million are encouraged to apply for the voucher.
More information on the scheme can be found by clicking here.