Minister Rabbitte rolls out whole of Government scheme to support local businesses trading online

Industry, Central and Local Government working together to help Irish small business compete for the almost €4 billion Irish consumer spend online.

The Trading Online Voucher scheme is designed to help the small companies to access the opportunities open to them through trading online. This will help companies right across Ireland to access new markets so that they can grow and create more jobs.

Building on the successful pilot conducted in Dublin earlier this year, the scheme is already opening for applications in 5 more counties (Cork, Waterford, Sligo, Kerry and Louth in addition to Dublin) and is being extended to every other county through the Local Enterprise Office network over the summer. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) will be the key delivery partners working with the Department of Communications in implementing this scheme. Each LEO will play a critical role in ensuring the success of this scheme, which is designed to develop and grow existing and new business in their area of responsibility.

 Trading Online Voucher Scheme - The Opportunity

• Irish consumers spend just under €4 bn online annually, of which 60-70% is for overseas purchases.
• In contrast, less than 1 in 4 small or micro businesses are selling to customers online.
• European Commission research suggests that companies which develop a meaningful online trading presence grow twice as fast, export twice as much and employ twice as many people.

The Target

• The National Digital Strategy target is to get 2,000 SMEs trading online over a two year period
• The Government’s Stimulus Fund has set aside up to €5m for the rollout of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme from 2014. 
• Under the scheme vouchers of up to €2,500 will be available to businesses who demonstrate that they have a credible plan to trading online.

The Local Enterprise Office Offaly is now inviting expressions of interest in the scheme. Anyone interested in being added to the mailing list for notification of commencement of the scheme should email info@leo.offalycoco.ie.