Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1986 > Committee on Small Businesses > Report No. 06 - Development and Management of Small Business Co-operatives

APPENDIX 1

State Aids Available to Small Business Co-operatives

1. Industrial Development Authority

Shannon Free Airport Development Company

Údaras na Gaeltachta

(i) Feasibility Study Grants

50% grant subject to a maximum grant of £15,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study on a project.

(ii) Fixed Assets Grants

Grants towards the cost of buildings and new machinery - up to a maximum of 45% of cost in Non-Designated Areas and 60% in Designated Areas.

(iii) Training Grants

Grants of up to 100% of the cost of training programmes in new start-up projects (in co-operation with AnCO).

(iv) Research and Development

Grants of 50% of costs subject to a maximum grant of £250,000 available for the development of new products and processes.

(v) Employment Grants

A new scheme, for which EEC approval has been sought, which would enable a maximum grant of £9,000 to be paid for each new job created.

(vi) Management Development Grant

A grant scheme to encourage the development of management systems (to be introduced in Autumn 1986).

The above schemes apply to manufacturing industry.

2. National Manpower Service

The Enterprise Allowance Scheme

Persons who have been in receipt of Unemployment Benefit or Unemployment Assistance for 13 weeks qualify under this scheme, which is designed to encourage self employment. The allowance is £50 per week for 52 weeks in the case of a married person and £30 per week in the case of a single person.

3. Youth Employment Agency

Available under the Community Enterprise Programme. However not more than 80% of total funding for any project may come from State sources and not less than 75% of employees must be under 25 years of age.

(i) Business Development Grant

A grant of up to £2,000 towards the cost of researching a business idea by a community group.

(ii) Enterprise Worker Grant

A grant of up to £17,500 to enable a community group to retain an “enterprise worker” for one year. The role of an enterprise worker is to advise and assist with the development of community business ideas into sustainable jobs for young people.

(iii) Commercial Aid Grants (Management)

For start-up projects the following management support grants are available:

(iv) Commercial Aid Grants (Wages Subsidies)

Start-up funding for commercially viable projects:

manufacturing: maximum grant of £3,750 for each worker or 75% of paid out wages costs of up to £5,000;

selected services: maximum grant of £2,500 for each worker or 50% of paid out wages costs of up to £5,000.