Longford Local Enterprise Office are here to help you start or grow your business. If we cannot help you directly, we will point you in the direction of those who can. Please find a selection of organisations below that are here to help you and your business.
The Arts Council of Ireland is the government agency for developing the arts in Ireland. Working in partnership with artists, arts organisations and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life. The Arts Council offers funding to micro, small and medium enterprises working within the arts sector. Click here for further information on the funding available and how your enterprise can apply.
Credit Review ensures the flow of credit to viable Irish SMEs (including farming enterprises), providing simple and effective credit reviews and appeals process for business owners who had been refused credit from participating banks. Credit Review are independent of the banking sector, while working closely with participating banks to achieve successful outcomes for the small business owners they represent. Click to learn more about Credit Review.
The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection promotes active participation and inclusion in society through the provision of income supports and employment services. Department supports include the
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, encouraging social welfare recipients to become self-employed,
Community Employment Programme providing temporary work placements in local communities and the
Enterprise Support Grant for new enterprises.
JobsIreland, an online recruitment service to employers and jobseekers and
JobsPlus, an employer incentive encouraging and rewarding employers who employ jobseekers, are supports also provided by the Department.
The Department of Rural and Community Development promotes rural and community development and supports vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities. The Department is responsible for the government's Action Plan for Rural Development, as well as the LEADER Rural Programme and CLÁR, which provides funding for small-scale rural projects.
The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland is the national agency for the commercial development of Irish designers and makers, stimulating innovation, championing design thinking and informing Government policy. The Council has a number of supports available to Longford designers and makers including the Future Makers Awards & Supports Programme (rewards the next generation of makers and provides funding support for research, training, residencies, materials and exhibition opportunities), FUSE Product Development Clinics, Building Craft & Design Enterprise Programme, External Exhibitions Fund and Design & Product Mentoring
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world's largest support network for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and helps Irish companies to make the most of business and technology opportunities in the EU and other major global markets. Services of the EEN include International Business Partner Searches, R&D Funding (European Grants) and Intellectual Property Protection Advice. Click here for more information.
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. Enterprise Ireland work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets, supporting sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment. Enterprise Ireland's range of services include funding supports, export assistance, supports to develop competitiveness, incentives to stimulate in-company R&D, assistance with R&D collaboration and connections and introductions to customers overseas.
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority, supporting the tourism industry and providing practical business supports to help tourism businesses better manage and market their products and services. Fáilte Ireland provide consumer research information resources and provide marketing opportunities through their promotional campaigns, including through their midlands-specific Ireland's Hidden Heartlands campaign and their Discover Ireland campaign. They also run Trade Events, Enterprise Supports, Quality Assurance Schemes and Funding Opportunities through their Online Trade Portal.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) protect consumers and raises compliance through partnership, science and food law enforcement. This statutory, independent and science-based body is dedicated to protecting public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene. FSAI informs legislation affecting food businesses, including farms, fisheries, manufacturers and sellers, as well as being responsible for monitoring, enforcement and auditing of food businesses. The FSAI also provides information resources on starting a food business including how to get approval for your food business, food hygiene legislation and traceability.
Food Works, run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, is a government-supported accelerator programme that helps develop the next generation of scalable and export driven Irish food and drinks businesses. The Programme offer feasibility grant funding and helps engage retailers with your business. The programme also gets you in touch with a dedicated research and consumer specialists, business advisors and production and technical experts and sets up industry and investor networking. Click for more information about the Food Works programme and how to apply.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland. The HSA monitors compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action. Additionally, the HSA are the national centre for information and advice on all aspects of workplace health and safety for employers, employees and self-employed, including Workplace Health. The HSA provide industry-specific healthy and safety information and offer supports for businesses. They also promote education, training and research in the field of health and safety.
InterTradeIreland is a cross-border body funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland (DBEI) and the Department for the Economy (DFE) in Northern Ireland. The organisation helps small businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland explore new cross-border markets, develop new products, processes and services and become investor-ready. InterTradeIreland provides a number of services under the areas of innovation, cross-boarder sales, tendering, funding, business intelligence and insights. Click here for all InterTradeIreland services.
Microfinance Ireland (MFI), is a not-for-profit lender, established to deliver the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund by providing small loans to help start-ups and established businesses get the finance they need for their business. Click here to learn more about Microfinance Ireland loans, including their Covid-19 Business Loan.
Revenue is the governmental body responsible for fairly and efficiently collecting taxes and duties and implementing Customs controls. Revenue has many relevant services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including information on Starting a Business, Self-assessment and Self-employment, Employing People and Tax Obligations of SMEs.
Skillnet Ireland is a government business support agency for advancing the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led workforce development. Skillnet Ireland do this through a collection of private-sector businesses that collaborate to address skills needs within their sector or region. Longford businesses can benefit from being part of the Skillnet Ireland network through access to expertise, support and collaboration opportunities. Click here to find all established Skillnet Ireland networks.
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is a new, strategic SME funding company established to ensure access to flexible funding for Irish SMEs by facilitating the provision of flexible products with longer maturity and capital repayment flexibility, lower-cost funding to financial institutions and market access for new entrants to the SME lending market. Click here to learn more about the SBCI's products and schemes.
SEAI is Ireland's national sustainable energy authority, working with householders, businesses, communities and government to create a cleaner energy future. SEAI provide an information resource for SMEs, including their SEAI Energy Academy designed specifically for SMEs. The SEAI also provide a number of business grants for companies, including SMEs looking to cut down on energy costs and meet energy saving targets.
Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. Teagasc provides SMEs research and innovation opportunities, including within theirResearch and Collaboration Programmes which support science-based innovation in the agri-food sector. Teagasc also provide advisory services for farming enterprises, including access to business and financial planning services, assistance with Department of Agriculture Schemes and advice on alternative enterprise development. Teagasc have 12 advisory regional units, click here for the Roscommon/Longford Advisory Region.
