Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Announcing the scheme, Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, T.D. said that 1,000 vouchers will be available for qualifying businesses through the network of 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEO's) between now and the end of 2014 with more on offer next year. Businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to €2,500 as Government has allocated €5 million for the rollout of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Eligibility Criteria

Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (exclusive of vat), whichever is the lesser;
Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense;
Own labour is not an eligible expense;
Third party costs only will be considered;
All third party/supplier invoices must contain proper business details (eg tax and business registration details)

The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:


Limited online trading presence;
Less than 10 employees;
Turnover less than €2m;
Applicant must be regsitered and trading for at least 12 months.
Business must be located in the area covered by this phase of the scheme i.e. within th remit of the participating LEO's.

Ineligible Projects


Companies with charitable statue, commercial semi-state companies, "not for profit" organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce are not eligible to participate in the scheme;
Professional services specialising in IT type services who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems;
Conferences and Seminars;
Projects which are contrary to public policy.
Duplication of support for projects which would be eligible for assistance from other State Agencies of EU funded Operational Programmes;
Projects with employees in excess of 10 people;
Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding in any event without scheme assistance i.e. deadweight.
Projects essentially comprising important and distribution.

What vouchers can be used for:


IT consultations;
Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website;
Implementing Online payments or booking systems;
Purchase of Internet related software;
Purchase of online advertising (this purchase cannot make up any more than 30% of approved Voucher costs and can only be drawn down in one payment phase.)
Developing an app (or multiplatform webpages);
Implementing a digital strategy ie. Social Media Marketing.
Consultation with ICT for early stage adopters of online strategy;
Training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity.

What the vouchers cannot be used for:


Development of brochure websites;
Purchase of non-internet related software;
Anything  other than online trading activity;

Evaluation Process 


An evaluation committee will assess the applications and make recommendations for approval;
A competitive process will be put in place to assist with selection process.  Selection of successful applicant will be based on the following criteria:
Eligiblity for scheme.
Value added potential.
Export potential.
Job creation potential.
Financial sustainability.

Voucher Administration


Letter of offer with voucher to be sent out to successful applicant;
Letter of offer signed, accepted and returned;
Client has four months to complete the work as per their application;

Important

There is a half day training session that potential applicants must attend prior to submitting an application form, this will take place on August 6th, application forms will be available on the 6th.Please book a place on this training through our website.