Trading Online Voucher Scheme

Trading Online Voucher StatsTrading Online Voucher Scheme – up to €2,500 grant available

Grow your business online with help through the Government’s National Digital Strategy. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you.


It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 50% from the business along with training and advice to help your business trade online. Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity by up to 50% can make this investment very affordable for many small businesses out there.  

Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office in the delivery of this scheme puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business. The training sessions cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business.

Businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.
Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to your website or developing new apps for your customers. The voucher can also be used towards subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions, to help companies quickly establish a retailing presence online.

The vouchers are targeted at businesses with the following profile:
  • Limited or no e-commerce presence;
  • 10 or less employees;
  • Turnover less than €2m;
  • Applicant business must be trading for at least 6 Months**;
  • Business must be located in the area covered by the LEO to whom they make their application i.e. LEOs cannot accept applications from businesses located outside their jurisdiction.

Previous voucher recipients may apply for a second voucher.   Previous voucher recipients cannot apply for a second voucher before they have submitted their final claim for their first voucher. 

**applicant business must provide clear proof of trading for a minimum of 6 months to their Local Enterprise Office

Eligibility Criteria

  • Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (net of VAT)
  • Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
  • 'Own Labour' is not an eligible expense
  • Only 'third-party' costs will be considered
  • All 'third party'/supplier Invoices must contain comprehensive business details, incl. Tax & Business registration information

Eligible Projects

  • Small businesses based in Co. Monaghan who have a limited online trading presence
  • Small businesses who employ less than 10 people
  • Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than €2m
  • Small businesses must be registered and trading for at least 6 months

Ineligible Projects

  • Companies with charitable status
  • Commercial semi-state companies
  • 'Not for profit' organisations
  • Trade associations
  • Business / company representation bodies, e.g., Chambers of Commerce
  • Professional service businesses, specialising in I.T.-related activities, who are already capable of trading online using existing in-house systems
  • Conferences & Seminars
  • Projects contrary to Public Policy
  • Projects which are already eligible for assistance from other State Agencies / EU funded Operational Programmes which may result in duplication of support
  • Projects with in excess of 10 employees
  • Projects deemed to be capable of proceeding without the requirement of assistance from the Online Trading Vouchers Scheme
  • Projects essentially deemed to be comprising importation and/or distribution
  • Please note that businesses classified under certain NACE codes have been deemed ineligible for the scheme. A full list of these businesses is available below.

What the Vouchers can be used for

  • IT consultation
  • Development or upgrade of an e-commerce website
  • Implementation of online payments or booking systems
  • Purchase of internet-related software
  • Purchase of online advertising ( this purchase cannot make up more than 30% of approved Voucher costs & can only be drawn down in one payment phase )
  • Developing an app or multi-platform webpages
  • Implementing a digital marketing strategy, i.e., Social Media Marketing
  • Consultation with ICT experts 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 related activity

Trading Online Workshops

In order to submit an online application you must first attend a 'Trading Online Workshop'.

Trading Online Workshops are available in the North East Region every month and Monaghan based businesses are eligible to attend workshops hosted by other Local Enterprise Offices. Your application will not be reviewed until you have attended training, so please book yourself on the first available course to be reviewed as soon as possible.

To check available ‘Trading Online Workshops’ with Monaghan LEO please click here

To check available 'Trading Online Workshop' from Louth LEO, please click here

To check available ‘Trading Online Workshops’ with Cavan LEO please click here

It may possible to attend a webinar or training session hosted by another region. Nationwide courses can be viewed here

How to apply

Trading Online Voucher Application Form must be completed online.

You will be asked to complete the online application form and upload copies for the 3 quotes you have received for the proposed work on your website. If you have any questions, please email ssherry2@monaghancoco.ie

Ineligible Businesses as Defined by NACE Code

Description of NACE Code Categories under which some sub-categories are excluded from TOVs

NACE Code Reference for the sub-categories

Detailed Descriptions of the Excluded Businesses ineligible for a TOV

Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products
C
(26.1 – 26.4)
2611   Manufacture of electronic components
2612   Manufacture of loaded electronic boards
2620   Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment
2630   Manufacture of communication equipment
2640   Manufacture of consumer electronics
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
G
(46.5.0 – 46.5.2, 47.4.0 - 47.4.3, 47.9.0 – 47.9.9)
 
4651   Wholesale of computers, computer peripheral equipment and software
4652   Wholesale of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts
4741   Retail sale of computers, peripheral units and software in specialised stores
4742   Retail sale of telecommunications equipment in specialised stores
4743   Retail sale of audio and video equipment in specialised stores
4791   Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet
4799   Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets
Air Transport
H
(51)
5110   Passenger air transport
5121   Freight air transport
5122   Space transport
Information and communications
J
(58 – 63)
5811   Book publishing
5812   Publishing of directories and mailing lists
5813   Publishing of newspapers
5814   Publishing of journals and periodicals
5819   Other publishing activities
5821   Publishing of computer games
5829   Other software publishing
5911   Motion picture, video and television programme production activities
5912   Motion picture, video and television programme post-production activities
5913   Motion picture, video and television programme distribution activities
5914   Motion picture projection activities
5920   Sound recording and music publishing activities
6010   Radio broadcasting
6020   Television programming and broadcasting activities
6110   Wired telecommunications activities
6120   Wireless telecommunications activities
6130   Satellite telecommunications activities
6190   Other telecommunications activities
6201   Computer programming activities
6202   Computer consultancy activities
6203   Computer facilities management activities
6209   Other information technology and computer service activities
6311   Data processing, hosting and related activities
6312   Web portals
6391   News agency activities
6399   Other information service activities n.e.c.
Financial and insurance activities
K
(64 -66)
6411   Central banking
6419   Other monetary intermediation
6420   Activities of holding companies
6430   Trusts, funds and similar financial entities
6491   Financial leasing
6492   Other credit granting
6499   Other financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding n.e.c.
6511   Life insurance
6512   Non-life insurance
6520   Reinsurance
6530   Pension funding
6611   Administration of financial markets
6612   Security and commodity contracts brokerage
6619   Other activities auxiliary to financial services, except insurance and pension funding
6621   Risk and damage evaluation
6622   Activities of insurance agents and brokers
6629   Other activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding
6630   Fund management activities
Real estate activities
L
(68)
6810   Buying and selling of own real estate
6820   Renting and operating of own or leased real estate
6831   Real estate agencies
6832   Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis
Professional, scientific and technical activities
M
(73)
7311   Advertising agencies
7312   Media representation
7320   Market research and public opinion polling
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
 O
(84)
8411   General public administration activities
8412   Regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security
8413   Regulation of and contribution to more efficient operation of businesses
8421   Foreign affairs
8422   Defence activities
8423   Justice and judicial activities
8424   Public order and safety activities
8425   Fire service activities
8430   Compulsory social security activities
Education
P
(85)
8510   Pre-primary education
8520   Primary education
8531   General secondary education
8532   Technical and vocational secondary education
8541   Post-secondary non-tertiary education
8542   Tertiary education
8551   Sports and recreation education
8552   Cultural education
8553   Driving school activities
8559   Other education n.e.c.
8560   Educational support activities
Arts, Entertainment and recreation
 R
(91 – 92, 93.2.0 – 93.2.9)
9101   Library and archives activities
9102   Museums activities
9103   Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions
9104   Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activities
9200   Gambling and betting activities
9321   Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
9329   Other amusement and recreation activities
Other activities
S
(94)
9411   Activities of business and employers membership organisations
9412   Activities of professional membership organisations
9420   Activities of trade unions
9491   Activities of religious organisations
9492   Activities of political organisations
9499   Activities of other membership organisations n.e.c.

NDS Logo