Latest news with #NationalEnterpriseHub
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
For SMEs in need of fast access to money and advice… look no farther than the National Enterprise Hub
Accessing finance and advice was once a time-consuming task, as founders navigated various sources of information and support, but the introduction of the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) has successfully streamlined and simplified this process for Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In fact, since its launch just over a year ago, more than 6,500 SMEs have been able to get direct business help from the NEH. An initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, the NEH was set up as a single national point of contact to make it easier and quicker for SME owners and managers to find the right government funding and support to help them scale. It brings together information and resources on over 250 government supports from 30 different state bodies. In the first 12 months of operation, the NEH has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website. The top grants availed of by businesses to date through the Hub have ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000. They have primarily been focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs and competitiveness. Along with the online offering, the NEH also has a full-time dedicated phone line that connects organisations to specialist advisers who can discuss potential grant options relevant for their business. The most accessed grants, supports and programmes available to entrepreneurs are offered by: Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Social Protection, the Local Enterprise Office network, MicroFinance Ireland, Revenue, SBCI (which provides low-cost credit to SMEs), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Skillnet Ireland and Solas. The idea for the NEH first came on the back of research which found that while there is a huge range of government supports available to SMEs, about two in five small businesses had never availed of one. One of the main aims of the NEH was to engage with those businesses who haven't previously taken advantage of the supports available by making it easier and more efficient for businesses to access and avail of grants, funding, loans and expert advice than ever before. The businesses that have sought supports through the NEH come from a range of industries, with most falling within professional services, retail and consumer products and health and beauty. There is also strong traction from companies within the information and technology sector, and from those in the tourism and hospitality space. The popularity of the NEH shows that SMEs are looking to access government support, and the good news for those that do is that help is at hand that will help business owners take their companies to the next level. Looking ahead, the NEH is developing new ways with its partners across government to make it easier for businesses not just to find the right support, but to also simplify the application processes for grants and training supports, to help them use AI to reduce friction for businesses, and to maximise impact for government agency supports. Discover the extensive range of funding and other supports available to SMEs at all stages on the National Enterprise Hub website ( Alternatively, call 01 7272100 to speak with an expert business support adviser. Conor O'Donovan is Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub at EI
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Over 6,500 Irish SMEs helped by National Enterprise Hub in first year
More than 6,500 SMEs have been directly supported by the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in the first year since its launch. The National Enterprise Hub is an initiative of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland and brings together information and resources on over 250 Government supports from 30 different departments and state agencies. It said the top grants availed of by businesses ranged in value from €3,000 to €7,000 and focused on supporting businesses with cashflow, expansion and productivity to help them deal with concerns around rising costs, and competitiveness. It has attracted over 220,000 active online users to its website over the last 12 months, while it also offers a full-time dedicated phone line, connecting business owners with specialist advisors who can discuss potential grant options over the phone. The businesses are from a range of industries with the majority operating in the Tourism & Hospitality sector, retail & consumer products, food, health & beauty, professional services and the construction sector. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive. "My focus now with the NEH is on reducing administrative burdens and red tape for businesses by consolidating multiple grant applications into a single, simplified process," the Minister said. "We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first," he added. Conor O'Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said that SME engagement with the National Enterprise Hub has met and exceeded targets to date, supporting 6,500 businesses within its first year of operation. "One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven't availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier," he said. "We know that Irish SMEs are operating in a complex environment and being able to access grants and supports is more important than ever," Mr O'Donovan said. "Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness - that is why a single source of government supports for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier," he added.
Irish Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Government announces dedicated unit to support Ireland's 'vital' small businesses
THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has announced the establishment of a new unit to support Ireland's small businesses, which provide 'vital employment and economic benefit across the country'. The Small Business Unit will ensure the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and across government. As well as helping small businesses access grants and support, the unit's remit will also include implementing Ireland's SME Test. Announced last year, the test seeks to ensure small businesses are given due consideration when new policies are introduced so that they are not disproportionately impacted by regulations. 'Economic benefit' Announcing the establishment of the dedicated unit, Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, emphasised the importance of SMEs to the Irish economy. "Small businesses employ two thirds of our population and keep our local communities and economies vibrant and strong," he said. "Government must recognise this, and ensure we are providing the support that SMEs need to run their businesses successfully and continue to provide vital employment and economic benefit across the country." He added: "Since my appointment as Minister I have put small businesses front and centre of my priorities. "The Programme for Government sets out clearly how the needs of small businesses must have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across government. "The Small Business Unit will focus on rigorously implementing the SME Test, to ensure the perspectives of small businesses are considered across government before new legislation or regulation is introduced. "The unit will oversee the simplification of information and access to grants and supports for businesses though the National Enterprise Hub. "It will also ensure the Local Enterprise Offices are properly resourced to help small businesses." SME turnover SMEs accounted for 99.8 per cent of all enterprises and 69.2 per cent of persons employed, according to the most recent CSO statistics on these businesses in Ireland. More than two-fifths (41.5 per cent) of total turnover and 34.8 per cent of Gross Value Added (GVA) was attributed to these SMEs. The establishment of the Small Business Unit comes after the government agreed last month to expedite the development of the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity. The plan is intended to cover areas critical to Ireland's economic performance, including industrial policy, regulatory burden reduction, infrastructure, energy, trade and innovation. See More: Peter Burke, SME
