The Business Expansion grant is designed to assist the business in its growth phase after the initial 18 month start-up period.
Business Expansion grants may be awarded to sole traders, partnerships or limited companies that fulfil the following criteria:
- The enterprise must not employ more than 10 people; In some cases, depending on certain criteria, businesses with 10 employees or more may be eligible, please contact your Local Enterprise Office advisor for more information on eligibility;
- The enterprise must be established, registered and operate within the geographic location of the Local Enterprise Office;
- The enterprise must operate in the commercial sphere;
- The enterprise must demonstrate a market for the product/service;
- The enterprise must have potential for growth in domestic and/or export markets and also potential for new job creation.
The maximum Business Expansion Grant payable shall be 50% of the investment or €150,000 whichever is the lesser.
Expenditure may be considered under the following headings:
- Capital items
- Salary costs
- Consultancy/Innovation/Marketing costs
- General overhead costs
Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000 shall be the exception and shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland and/or to export internationally. In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser. Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of €15,000 per full time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support granted.
All grants of a value greater than or equal to €50,000 or with a cumulative value of €100,000 over three years require Enterprise Ireland Approval
A business that had availed of a Priming Grant will be ineligible to apply for a Business Expansion grant until 12 months after approval/drawdown date of Priming Grant whichever is the later except in cases of exceptional merit and where less than the maximum Priming Grant was drawn down, and subject to the provisions in respect of 'De Minimus state aid'.
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