Under the terms of its remit some projects cannot be supported by the Local Enterprise Office:

• Retail outlets (though these are eligible for online trading grants for web sites)
• Professional services (including consultants/consultancies)
• Projects where manufacturing is outsourced overseas.
• Areas of enterprise which involve displacement of existing jobs or business: Builders, Hairdressers, Cafes & restaurants, Pubs, Hotels, General Printers, Construction, Life Coaches, Trades etc. would come within this category. Generally where there are a large number of operators within a sector, the LEO has to have regard to the implications of grant aiding one or some, possibly putting the others at a competitive disadvantage.
• Gambling related services.
• Projects not commercially viable. Not for profit businesses/charities not eligible.
• Conferences and Seminars provided by the private sector.
• Projects which are contrary to public policy.
• Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies or EU funded Operational Programmes.
• Existing Firms which already have an established relationship with Enterprise Ireland or IDA. Please do not apply to the LEO if you have an existing application for the same project under consideration by Enterprise Ireland.
• Projects involving primary agricultural or fish production, where little added value is demonstrated.
• Projects with employees in excess of 10 people.
• Mobile assets, i.e. cars, motor vans, etc.
• Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without the support of the LEO assistance particularly where finances are not required. i.e. deadweight.
• Projects essentially comprising importation and distribution.