Supports | Prepare for Brexit

Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are working in conjunction with all government agencies to support Irish businesses in this new trading environment.

The supports highlighted with ** are available to all Irish businesses.

Enterprise Ireland

Supports marked ** are available to all SME businesses registered in Ireland.

Supports marked * are available to both Enterprise Ireland and LEO supported companies.

Post-Brexit Advisory Support

The Post-Brexit Advisory Support offers advice and support on strategic sourcing, customs and logistics, and financial and currency management. Companies work with an independent consultant to decide on specific actions to address some of the risks and opportunities presented by the new trading environment with the UK.

Evolve Strategic Planning Grant

The Evolve Strategic Planning Grant which offers up to €5,000 or 50% of the total cost in financial support, can be used to help cover consultancy, travel and expenses for both domestic and international employee travel.

The grant is intended to provide strategic support to companies to use internal resources or a third-party consultant to undertake a short project to determine how the company could respond to the new trading environment with the UK.

Agile Innovation Fund *

The Agile Innovation Fund supports product, service and process innovation to build competitive advantage. The fund is aimed at clients in sectors with rapid design cycles or have not previously applied for RD&I support.

The key benefit of this support is that it provides access up to 50% towards innovation projects with a total cost of up to €300,000.

Strategic Consultancy Grant

The Strategic Consultancy Grant supports the hiring of a strategic consultant typically over a longer period to assist the company in the development and/or the implementation of strategic initiatives. It is designed to facilitate business growth as the consultants can act as coach, mentor, facilitator, analyst for the company.

Market Discovery Fund

The Market Discovery Fund is designed to help companies of all sizes to prepare to enter new markets.

By providing funding to hire consultants with in-depth knowledge of the target market, businesses can determine barriers to entry, assess the competitive landscape and identify opportunities. This support also enables companies to carry out market research and develop an effective strategy

Operational Excellence Offer

The Operational Excellence Offer enables Irish companies trading internationally to develop or transform their wider business in order to compete more effectively.

LEO | Local Enterprise Offices

Download the LEO guide to Brexit Supports

Brexit Mentoring

Under the Brexit Mentor Programme, clients work with an experienced mentor on a one-to-one basis to identify key areas of exposure within their business. With advice and guidance from their mentor, clients develop strategies that are more robust, which address issues and maximise potential opportunities around Brexit.

LEAN for Micro

LEAN for Micro has been adapted by Enterprise Ireland for LEO clients to help small businesses boost competitiveness, increase performance and profitability as well as building resilience within their companies. Under this programme, clients can avail of five days of consultancy with a Lean Expert (a qualified practitioner), who will work with the company to introduce lean principles, undertake a specific cost reduction project and assist the company in benchmarking its performance.

Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters (TAME) Grant

The TAME grant supports clients to explore and develop new export market opportunities, such as participation in international trade fairs and development of export-related marketing materials and websites. With a focus on helping companies to diversify, this scheme is a matched-funding opportunity with up to €2,500 available.

Trading Online Voucher Scheme

An initiative under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme helps small businesses trade more online to boost their sales and reach new markets. This scheme is co-funded, with up to €2,500 available (or up to 50% of eligible costs, whichever is less), with training and further supports provided by Local Enterprise Offices. Funding can be used towards eligible costs such as digital marketing strategies, e-commerce websites or app development. Second vouchers are also now available, where upgrades are required.

Financial Assistance

For existing companies and potential start-ups that meet eligibility criteria (such as employing 10 or fewer people with the potential for growth and job creation), Local Enterprise Offices can also offer three types of financial supports to help manage Brexit responses:

Priming Grants*
Business Expansion Grants*
Feasibility Study Grants*

*Further eligibility criteria apply.

Microfinance Loans (through Microfinance Ireland)

Local Enterprise Offices can work with clients on their applications to Microfinance Ireland (MFI) for small business loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion. By applying for an MFI small business loan through a Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.

Enterprise Europe Network

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises that have international growth ambitions. The EEN is active in more than 60 countries around the globe, bringing 3,000 experts together from more than 600 member organisations. Through the Local Enterprise Offices, the EEN can help small businesses get expert advice, source technologies and identify trusted business partners.

Funding for Local Enterprise Offices, which work in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, is provided by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

InterTradeIreland

Brexit Voucher **

The Brexit Voucher offers 100% financial support up to £2000/€2250 to enable companies to get professional advice on Brexit, including likely tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues and movement of labour, goods and services.

Tariff Checker **

The Tariff Checker offers insight into the potential tariffs based on World Trade Organisation data on goods traded between the UK and EU.

SBCI |

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

SBCI Brexit Loan Scheme

The SBCI Brexit Loan Scheme is offered in partnership with the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine and is supported by the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments.

Approval of loans are subject to AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank credit policies and procedures.

European Commission – Access2Markets

European Commission - Access2Markets

Access2Markets is the new portal for EU exporters and importers to find detailed information for all EU countries and more than 120 export markets around the world. The site provides detailed information on

tariffs
rules of origin
taxes and additional duties
import procedures and formalities
product requirements
trade barriers
trade flow statistics

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

For companies operating in the Agri-Food sector, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has a range of supports to help businesses get ready for the changes Brexit will bring.

HSA | Health & Safety Authority

Chemicals Helpdesk **

The HSA’s Chemicals Helpdesk provides a support service for Irish chemical companies and SMEs on meeting legislative duties and ensuring they can source chemicals and sell in the EU

NSAI | National Standards Authority of Ireland

Certification, Standards and Metrology Advisory Service **

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides advice on how best to ensure businesses are certified to appropriate standards to access markets

Bord Bia

For food and drink manufacturers Bord Bia has published a Brexit Action Plan and has a range of supports and reports to help businesses prepare for increased complexity in future trade with the UK.

Department of the Taoiseach – Gov.ie

Department of the Taoiseach - Gov.ie

The Department of the Taoiseach publishes key information on the Brexit negotiations and supports for Irish citizens and businesses to prepare for the new trading environment with the UK.

Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs Brexit resources contain detailed information on the Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan and the implications for businesses and citizens.

Revenue

Revenue provides key information for importers and exporters trading with the UK.