To qualify for grant aid the promoters must demonstrate that:
- The project is in the commercial sphere and is capable of obtaining economic viability without ongoing Exchequer or EU assistance.
- The project is in manufacturing or internationally traded services (please see list of eligible internationally traded services below).
- There is a market for the proposed product or service.
- Adequate overall finance will be available to fund the project.
- That the person, group or company possess the management and technical capacity to implement the proposed project.
- Projects must have the capacity to create new direct employment either full, part-time or seasonal.
Projects will not be assisted where:
- They are in areas of enterprise that there is already sufficient firms participating and the proposal would lead to job displacement elsewhere.
- Areas of enterprise on the EU and National Sensitive Lists.
- Areas of enterprise coming under other schemes or operational programmes.
- Projects are contrary to National policy.
- Projects involving primary agricultural production.
- Where investment is in mobile assets.
- Projects involving purely sales and distribution e.g. retail outlets will not be assisted.
The following businesses are ineligible for grant assistance:
- Enterprise Ireland/IDA/Údarás na Gaeltachta clients.
- Domestically focused retail, personal services, professional services and construction services.
- Businesses operating in the coal or steel sectors.
- Businesses involved in activities that Local Enterprise Offices consider as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputional risk. Ineligible activites include activities relating to:
- the gambling sector, including "gaming" (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956).
- adult entertainment.
- tobacco and tabacco related products.
- cannabis-based products which are not authorised as medicines.
In order to assess if your project or idea might qualify for grant aid, please complete the Business Proposition Form (see link below).
