Employment grant information

The aim of this initiative is to provide partial funding of the cost of recruiting a key person to contribute to significant and measurable improvements in company productivity or changes in its output to meet defined market requirements.

What costs are eligible?

The purpose of Enterprise Ireland's Human Resource funding solution is to assist client companies to fund the human resource element of their overall business development investment. Support may be provided towards recruiting a new key employee (manager or individual with skills that are critical for the development of the business).    The support is towards the cost of one Key Manager for one year only.

This is not a mechanism to subsidise general recruitment.

Maximum support limits

Key persons approved in 2007 are at the following rates:

This support based on a maximum salary of €100,000 pa.

Funding outside the BMW is granted using "Aid under De Minimis Rule ".
The EU allows funding of up to €200,000 (from 1st Jan 2007) over any three fiscal years to any company irrespective of size or location when funded under "Aid under the de minimis rule".

If a Company is part of a group then the €200,000 limit applies to the group.

Other sources of De Minimis Aid from Enterprise Ireland include:

• Mentor Programme
• Market Research
• Telecom Standards Scheme 

and these must be taken into account in calculating the De Minimis Limit for the Company/Group.

If a Company has received any De Minimis Aid from any outher source such as another State Agency, department including County Enterprise Boards, FAS (Competency Development Group), An Bord Bia, EPA and other State Agency/department support, then this must also be taken into account.

Recruitment of a key person is an Enterprise Ireland Category 1 support. Category 1 includes funding for consultancy, Recruitment of a key manager, feasibility studies, market research, mentor network service, trade fair participation and training support.

A cumulative grant limit within a rolling two-year period for all proposals approved under this category of funding.  For further information, please discuss with your Development Adviser.

The grant maximum is based on a percentage level of your expenditure and may be reduced if you have raised funds under the BES (Business Expansion Scheme) or SCS (Seed Capital Scheme).

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to apply for this funding if you are one of the following:

• A manufacturing or internationally traded services SME company employing 10-249 people.
• A new High Potential Start Up company

How do I apply?

Project ideas must be discussed with your Enterprise Ireland Development Adviser prior to submitting a completed application form. If you are not already a client of Enterprise Ireland, please contact your nearest Enterprise Ireland Regional Office or Shannon Development.

Grant application forms must be completed and returned prior to the commencement of the project to:

Client Services Unit

Any expenditure incurred prior to receipt of the application in Client Services Unit will not be eligible for grant aid.