Decision appeals relating to Financial Assistance Grant Applications 

In the event of an appeal, the issues that prevented the application from being approved will have to be addressed to the satisfaction of the Evaluation and Approvals Appeals Sub Committee. An appeal will not be made on the application already considered except where additional information is provided.

The Evaluation and Approvals Committee may approve, defer or reject a project. In the event of a project being rejected by the Evaluation & Approvals Committee/Local Enterprise Panel the Appeals process is set out below:

Evaluation & Approvals Committee will:

• Approve projects less than €40,000;

• Evaluate and recommend for approval to Enterprise Ireland projects greater than or equal to €40,000 or cumulatively projects greater than or equal to €80,000;

• Defer (on the basis of further clarification, insufficient information, etc.); or

• Reject

As outlined above the Evaluation and Approvals Committee can defer a project pending further information. This does not constitute a refusal which would be subject to an appeal by a client.

The Appeals Process is invoked by a client where the Committee has rejected the Project. The following Appeals Process is therefore on the basis of a project being rejected.

1. Following the Evaluation & Approvals Committee / Local Enterprise Panel the relevant LEO Staff will contact client to advise the outcome. If the project has been rejected the client will also be advised of their right to appeal.

2. Within five working days from the date of the Evaluation & Approvals Committee / Local Enterprise Office will advise the client the basis for their application not being approved and advise the client of their right to appeal. This written communication will outline the reasons for rejection and will inform the client, in the event of an appeal, that the issues that prevented the application from being approved will have to be addressed to the satisfaction of the Evaluation and Approvals Appeals Sub Committee.

3. An appeal will not be made on the application already considered except where additional information is provided.

In summary:

• An Appeals Sub-Committee will be nominated by the Chairperson of the Evaluation & Approvals Committee consisting of three members;

• Client notified of rejection as per above;

• Client Appeals through LEO office – submitting additional information within ten days of being advised of the rejection;

• The additional information in respect of the project being considered is reviewed by sub-committee.

• If subcommittee supports the proposal, the subcommittee will agree to endorse and recommend the project to the Evaluation and Approvals Committee / Local Enterprise Panel for approval.

• If the subcommittee is not satisfied with the additional information provided, it cannot endorse the project and recommend it to the EVAC.

The decision of the sub-committee shall be final.