| Q1 |
The maximum support is given as €650,000. Does that mean I can have €650,000 for training and €650,000 for technology acquisition? |
| A1 |
The €650,000 figure is the maximum amount Enterprise Ireland will approve for any company business plan submission. The entire €650,000 may be allocated to training or to management development, but the total support for whatever the company is investing in cannot exceed €650,000. See Growth Fund for further details |
| Q2 |
What support is available to companies in preparing their business plan details before submitting a Growth Fund application? |
| A2 |
Companies may apply to their Development Adviser for consultancy support (Strategic Consultancy) for activities which assist a company in the planning process. 50% of the actual consultancy costs may be met. The maximum charge rate for a consultant which can be supported at 50% is €1,500 per diem (all inclusive). Strategic Consultancy |
| Q3 |
What should a company do if the Development Adviser is not known? |
| A3 |
All Enterprise Ireland client companies have a Development Adviser appointed. If there is uncertainty about whom the relevant Development Adviser is, or if the company is believed to be eligible to become an Enterprise Ireland client but has not yet become a client click here Development Adviser |
| Q4 |
What are the requirements to qualify as an internationally traded services company? |
| A4 |
Internationally Traded Services companies should be exporters or potential exporters of 80% or more of their output. Companies with modest, incidental or channel sales overseas would not qualify. |
| Q5 |
Are client companies of County Enterprise Boards eligible under the Fund? |
| A5 |
Generally no, but if a company has ambitious expansion plans they may become eligible for transfer to Enterprise Ireland. See Clients |
| Q6 |
Are client companies of Shannon Development and Udaras na Gaeltachta eligible for support from the Fund? |
| A6 |
No, the fund is specific to Enterprise Ireland client companies. However, many companies which were formerly client companies of Shannon Development are currently Enterprise Ireland client companies (exceptions include overseas headquartered companies and/or companies established on the Shannon Free Zone).
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| Q7 |
What is involved in a Workplace Innovation Fund (WIF) project and how does it differ from other Growth Fund projects? |
| A7 |
Workplace Innovation is about finding new ways of doing things in the workplace, such as team working, decision-making, problem-solving and up-skilling. See WIF
The aim of the Workplace Innovation Fund is to support companies that are committed to workplace innovation and developing the role of employee participation and involvement as enablers of change and productivity improvements.
The Fund is offered jointly with the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP).
The NCPP was established by the Irish Government in 2001 to promote and facilitate workplace change and innovation through partnership see (NCPP ).
The Fund for WIF projects is not competitive and is open to all Enterprise Ireland companies. All projects are selected for support on an eligibility basis.
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| Q8 |
Can I apply for support for training and management development to the Growth Fund and also to the Workplace Innovation Fund at the same time? |
| A8 |
Yes, application for Workplace Innovation support does not preclude Enterprise Ireland clients from also applying for training and management development support under the Growth Fund. |
| Q9 |
If the Growth Fund and Workplace Innovation Fund are two schemes, can I received €650,000 under the Growth Fund and up to the same amount also under the Workplace Innovation Fund? |
| A9 |
No, the schemes are different, but the maximum total is based on both schemes added together in any submission. See Growth Fund Application Form |
| Q10 |
Are large companies eligible for Workplace Innovation Fund support? |
| A10 |
Yes, but the application cannot be made through the Growth Fund system. Large companies should engage with their Development Adviser and discuss what package of measures they are seeking to undertake and what support is available to them. Decisions for large companies will be made by the Enterprise Ireland Investment Committee. See Funding for Company Expansion |
| Q11 |
Can training support grant-aid the necessary training costs for staff who will be using new equipment? |
| A11 |
Yes, companies will find it advantageous to request suppliers to invoice separately for supply of equipment and familiarisation training for relevant staff (where such training is required). |
| Q12 |
My company is not part of any group, employs less than 250 people and has an annual balance sheet of less than €43 million, but last year total turnover exceeded €50 millions. How do I apply the SME test in Official Journal of the European Commission (OJ) L124/36? |
| A12 |
The single most important test is the number of employees. If a company has less than 250 employees it may be considered an SME. However, if both the annual balance sheet exceeds €43 million and the annual turnover exceeds €50 million, it cannot be treated as an SME. If only one of the two financial tests exceeds the limit, the company may still qualify as an SME. In the example given, the company is considered to be a medium enterprise. See SME |
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| Q13 |
My company is not part of any group, employs less than 50 people but has an annual balance sheet of more than €10 million. Last year total turnover was less than €10 millions. How do I apply the SME test in OJ L124/36? |
| A13 |
The single most important test is the number of employees. If a company has less than 50 employees it may be considered a small enterprise. However, if both the annual balance sheet and annual turnover exceeds €10 million, it cannot be treated as a small enterprise. If only one of the two financial tests exceeds the limit, the company may still qualify as a small enterprise. In the example given, the company is considered to be a small enterprise. See SME |
| Q14 |
Does Northern Ireland count as an export market? |
| A14 |
There is no yes/no answer on eligible markets. A judgement has to be made, based on the size of the market relative to current outputs by the company. If there is a sensible prospect of significantly growing sales by going into any particular market, then the case could be made for support. If the overall market is small, it would take a fairly unusual situation for exports to there to represent much of a growth opportunity, unless it is stage one of a wider strategy.
If the company's business plan can show sensible prospects of growth by going into a market, or if that market is seen as a reasonable staging post leading to exports on a much wider scale it could be supportable.
The Committee will need to be satisfied of the merits of the investment. |
| Q15 |
Is leased equipment eligible? |
| A15 |
This is covered in the Reference Document under 9.1.1 Capital equipment. Eligible expenditure includes 'Financial agreements/contracts for equipment where there is an obligation to purchase the equipment at the end of the contract period.'
Leased equipment (i.e. equipment obtained through a financial contract) is only eligible where the company has an obligation to purchase the equipment at the end of the leasing contract. If they won't eventually own the equipment, it is not eligible.
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| Q16 |
If a deposit has been paid on a piece of equipment is the whole cost of the equipment ineligible or just the deposit? |
| A16 |
The intention of the Growth Fund is to encourage companies to do more to grow their companies than they would do without EI support. If a deposit has been paid on some equipment before application has been made for support, it implies that the decision to purchase is not conditional on there being EI support. None of the costs associated with buying such equipment will be eligible for grant support under the Growth Fund. |
| Q17 |
How can I tell if refurbished will be considered eligible for grant support? |
| A17 |
Before including refurbished equipment in the Growth Fund submission, the company should discuss the particular item identified with their Development Adviser and/or EI Technologist. Based on an inspection of the actual refurbished equipment or on the proposed specification for the equipment after refurbishment, advice can be given as to whether or not it will be recommended for support. Final support may depend on a grant inspector being satisfied that the equipment has been actually refurbished up to the agreed specification. |