Business Expansion Grants (for businesses trading in excess of 18 months)

The Business Expansion grant is designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18 month start-up period.  Micro enterprises that have availed of a priming grant are ineligible to apply for a business expansion grant until 18 months after the final drawdown date of the priming grant except in exceptional circumstances.

Business expansion grants may be awarded to sole traders, partnerships, community groups or limited companies that fulfill the following criteria:

• Located within the LEO's geographic area.
• A business which on growth may or may not fit the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.
• A business employing up to 10 employees.
• A manufacturing or internationally traded services business.
• A domestically traded services business with the potential to trade internationally.

The maximum Business Expansion Grant payable must not exceed 50% of the investment or €150,000, whichever is the lesser.

Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be the exception and shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland and/or export internationally.

In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the investment or €80,000, whichever is the lesser.

Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full-time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support grant aided.

Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:

Capital Items: This includes the fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, hardware, software, etc. Please note acquisition of building and purchase of mobile assets are excluded from grant aid.

Salary Costs: (For the first year of employment). This is to be paid out in two instalments. The first instalment at the commencement of employment and the second instalment once the employment has continued in existence for a period of six months. The level of grant support should reflect the salary scale proposed for the employment being generated. It is anticipated that only quality jobs attracting salaries in excess of €40,000 will be eligible for the maximum €15,000 grant support with appropriately scaled back grants offered in accordance with proposed salary for lower paid positions. Staff recruitment costs may also be considered eligible for grant aid.

Rental/Accommodation Costs: (For the first year of the project). Note that where rental space is already subsidised by an investment of public funds then grant support should reflect the differential between the market rate and subsidised rate. Rental costs may be paid up front subject to receipt by the Board of signed lease/rental agreements.

Utility Costs: This includes installation costs for telephone and broadband.  Note that mobile phone costs are excluded.

Marketing Costs: This includes packaging, brochures, business cards, trade fairs, website design and development, and other marketing initiatives.

Consultancy Costs: This includes design fees, patent costs, architect, accountant and legal fees.

Business Specific Training: Costs here refer to specialised management or key personnel training programmes that are required to ensure the growth of the business. Such courses should not be generally available under the Board's general training programmes.