(20 May) The Department of Finance has launched a new website to notify small businesses and enterprises (SMEs) of all support and information available to them.
Launched by Finance Minister Michael Noonan, yesterday, May 19, the site aims to address and amend recent survey results that showed that 98% of 2000 surveyed company managers were unaware of any existing support systems in place for SMEs in Ireland.
Minister Noonan said at the launch, “In my Budget 2014 speech, I announced an information campaign to increase the level of information available to SMEs. The online search tool is a central element of this campaign and helps SMEs to access information on the over 80 government supports, totalling more than €2 billion, currently available. Over the past number of months we have collaborated with over 100 small businesses on this project and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
In order to figure out which supports are available to them, SMEs must answer eight questions to be directed to the most helpful answer on the website. There are supports from over 27 Government departments and agencies in the online guide as well as information for accessing credit and the location of the nearest Local Enterprise Office should the business wish to discuss the outcomes provided by the tool. Developed by Irish company pTools, the website address is www.localenterprise.ie/smeonlinetool
There are currently 188,600 SMEs in Ireland, making up 99% of Irish companies. Of those surveyed, most were interested in the areas of grants, while over half were interested in access to funds for business development and mentoring as well as information on skills and marketing.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
