Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grants available for a business start-up (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1455/25]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would recommend that the promoter of this business contact a business advisor in the Cavan Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to discuss their business plans. The LEO in Cavan plays an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services to small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and contributing to jobs growth within towns and communities across the county. The LEO provides a signposting service for all government supports available to small businesses and can provide information/referrals to other relevant bodies.

LEO Cavan offers a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements. Whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business there are programmes that are suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business and wish to learn more. It would perhaps benefit this individual to seek the advice of a LEO Business Mentor or participate in the LEO Start Your Own Business (SYOB) programme.

The SYOB programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. It highlights the importance of planning ahead when setting up a new venture. Preparation is the single most important thing you can do to ensure that a fledging business gets off the ground and continues flying. The objective of the SYOB is to assist clients in honestly assessing their business idea, its viability and help them decide if they should proceed or take a step back.

LEOs can provide direct financial grant assistance to small businesses in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. These grants cannot be provided to businesses in areas such as personal services, local retail, or local professional services as it may give rise to displacement of businesses in the locality.

For small businesses who are having difficulty securing loans from banks or other commercial lenders, LEO Mentors can assist with applications to Micro-Finance Ireland (MFI), which is a not for profit lender that offers small business loans of up to €50,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion and by applying through their Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.

LEOs also provide consultancy and funding in the areas of Lean, Green and Digital which are available to a broader range of locally traded businesses. These schemes are focused on providing capital to established businesses to assist in implementation of recommendations to digitalise or decarbonise a business. These schemes will also enhance the productivity and improve the competitiveness of small businesses.

The Deputy will also be aware of the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) which provides a centralised signposting service for over 230 Government supports. This excellent resource is available to all small business owners and can provide information and a point of contact to relevant government bodies.