Running a business in Ireland can be tough, but help is available. In this section you will find information on a range of supports to help you save money, work smarter and keep up with the competition. Whether you need a hand with a problem today, a way to manage your money better, or support to make your business even stronger, here you can find helpful resources to get started.
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Featured productivity supports
Making your business more productive is about finding smart ways to get more done in less time and with less resources.
Not sure where to start? Here are some of the most popular supports for creating a more productive business.
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13 supports based on your selections
Cyber Security Review Grant
Take the first or next step to improving your company’s cyber security in a fluid world
Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre, offers the Cyber Security Review. This initiative provides companies like yours access to cyber security experts who will conduct an independent review of your company’s cyber security status, identify vulnerabilities, and develop a clear roadmap for you to enhance your security measures.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
Lean for Business
Make your small business more efficient with Lean principles
With this support, find out how Lean principles can transform your business by helping your staff find new ways of working and identifying inefficient practices to increase productivity.
Businesses that want to improve their performance, reduce their costs and be more competitive.
You might be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You employ up to 50 people
- You have been operating for at least 6 months
- You have generated revenues of at least €30k
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Access Advice : Lean Start
An introduction to Lean Thinking
LeanStart is an introductory, short-focused training programme that introduces your company to Lean thinking. Lean thinking is a set of business principles that can help staff learn new ways of working and identify inefficient processes that do not add value to a business.
Businesses looking to make practical improvements in their business to deliver better quality faster and without waste.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
HR & OD Community of Practice
Nurturing HR & OD excellence for scalable business growth.
The HR & OD CoP is a collaborative platform bringing together HR and OD leaders to share knowledge, address challenges, and drive innovation. Through interactive roundtables and peer learning groups, we foster a dynamic community focused on exploring and overcoming HR and OD challenges, exchanging best practices, and uncovering emerging trends and solutions.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Enterprise Ireland client company.
- Targeted towards HR Managers, HR Directors, Chief People Officers, who are responsible for leading the people function within their business
- Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Operational Excellence
Help to improve efficiency and competitiveness
Your business must be able to respond, adapt and improve in response to constant changes in customer needs, suppliers, and your own day-to-day operations. This support helps you to invest in a major transformation project which could help your business be more competitive on an international level.
Businesses redesigning their business to make it more efficient and competitive.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business
- Have been trading for at least 5 years, with revenues of at least €500,000
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
LeanPlus
Apply Lean practices to improve operational effectiveness
In an ever-evolving world, businesses must always be ready for change. LeanPlus is an in-depth programme that helps you put new processes in place to reduce costs and make your business more efficient and competitive.
Businesses that want to put new processes in place to improve company productivity and reduce inefficiency.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Enterprise Ireland (EI) client
- You are a potential EI client operating a small to medium business
- You have already completed LeanStart
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Skillnet Innovation Exchange
Join an ecosystem of innovative companies to fast-track business solutions
Skillnet Innovation Exchange is a skills marketplace that connects large businesses facing innovation challenges to ambitious Irish SMEs with the talent that can fast-track solutions.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a scaling technology SME company that need an instant sales pipeline as well as access to key decision makers, market intelligence and the capability to sell to large corporates.
- You are a large company looking for access to Ireland’s most talented solutions providers and to collaborations that accelerate digital transformation.
EEN: Innovation Company Innovation Capability Analysis Tool
Unlocking Innovation: Evaluating Your Company's Journey and Strategic Growth Areas
Assessing a company's innovation capacity involves evaluating its current position on the innovation journey and identifying strategies to address specific areas within the business that need improvement.
- All organizations engaged in their innovation journey and in need of further assistance.
LeanPlus (Údarás)
Apply Lean practices to improve operational effectiveness
In an ever-evolving world, businesses must always be ready for change. LeanPlus is an in-depth programme that helps you put new processes in place to reduce costs and make your business more efficient and competitive.
Businesses that want to put new processes in place to improve company productivity and reduce inefficiency
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are a potential Údarás na Gaeltachta client operating a small to medium business
- You have already completed LeanStart
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
LeanStart - Udaras
An introduction to Lean Thinking
LeanStart is an introductory, short-focused training programme that introduces your company to Lean thinking. Lean thinking is a set of business principles that can help staff learn new ways of working and identify inefficient processes that do not add value to a business.
Businesses looking to make practical improvements in their business to deliver better quality faster and without waste.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an existing Údarás na Gaeltachta client
- You are a potential Údarás na Gaeltachta client operating a small to medium business
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Featured cashflow supports
Maintain a healthy cash flow to keep your business running smoothly.
From budgeting advice to funding to tide you over, here are some of the most popular supports that can provide financial help to keep your business running.
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48 supports based on your selections
TV Drama Production
This funding is for TV drama series originated and creatively led by Irish talents – directors, writers, producers
Screen Ireland aims to drive the expansion of the indigenous TV drama production sector and provide opportunities for Irish talent to develop both creatively and professionally.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Irish producer with a television drama series you wish to produce, with clear access to the necessary rights and prior international marketplace finance and substantial broadcaster or TV streaming service funding
- Applications will generally express Irish culture in some way and the practical management must be primarily in Irish hands
Television Drama Development
This scheme aims to provide opportunities for Irish talent to create original drama content
This funding enables Irish producers with a track record in TV Drama production to originate live action TV drama projects.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Irish producer with a television drama project you wish to develop, clear access to the necessary rights in any material that is to be adapted for the screen, and an agreement (at least in principle) with the screenwriter you wish to commission
Nationwide Additional Production Fund
This additional production loan is for projects that are carrying out production in areas of Ireland outside a radius of 65km from the Dublin GPO.
Productions must have the balance of their finance fully confirmed at the time of application. All applications must involve the meaningful engagement of Irish crew in all grades and include programmes supporting new entrants, upskilling, sustainability and diversity and inclusion in the areas of Ireland outside a radius of 65km from the Dublin GPO
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Irish production company (production companies registered in the Republic of Ireland which have an office and staff based in the Republic of Ireland) in relation to productions that are considering producing in the relevant areas of the Republic of Ireland.
Productions that have not yet commenced principal photography/animation are eligible to apply for this funding.
Screenplay Development (Established Talent)
Development funding is provided by Screen Ireland for the making of films predominantly in English or Irish, or a combination of the two
Screenplay Development Loans support experienced writers/directors to write a live action or animated feature film from initial idea stage in the form of treatments or early script draft to a viable first draft screenplay.
- Experienced Irish talent with at least one produced fiction feature film credit as a writer
Irish Feature Film Development
Development funding for Live Action or Animated feature films
Feature Film Development Loans enable Irish producers to commission screenplays with a view to developing feature films to production stage.
- Irish producers with a feature film project they wish to develop, with clear access to the necessary rights
Perspectives - New Talent Development and Production Scheme
Perspectives is a scheme aimed at projects that offer a new way into Irish life, culture and communities
- Perspectives is a scheme aimed at projects that offer a new way into a story – providing a window into experiences and viewpoints that may not have been widely represented on the big screen before. The scheme is particularly interested in original, authentic stories: stories that can touch on a wide range of experiences across Irish life, culture and communities.
- For the first phase of Perspectives, Screen Ireland will select up to 20 projects for development within the fund. Following the development stage, a number of projects will advance to production, fully supported by Screen Ireland. This pilot scheme will also offer skills development support and opportunities throughout.
- Perspectives is open to live action fiction feature films made by Irish filmmakers or filmmaking teams , over the age of 18 that have a short live action film and/or on-air commercials and/or viral online series produced
Completion
This funding enables Irish filmmakers to complete a live-action, animated or documentary feature film
Projects must be owned, originated and creatively led by Irish talent - directors, writers, producers. Their content will generally express Irish culture in some way, and their practical management will be primarily in Irish hands. Films that have screened outside of festival premieres and cast and crew and press events are ineligible.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Irish producer with a live-action, animated feature, or feature documentary project which has reached post-production stage or later without Screen Ireland support, shows great theatrical promise and is in need of further funding
Additional Feature Film Development
Further Development funding for Live Action or Animated feature films.
This category is specifically for Development projects that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding under the Feature Film Development category
- Irish producers with a feature film project they wish to develop that is already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding
Additional Documentary Development
Additional Documentary Development Funding is for further development of a project already funded by us at First Stage
Additional Documentary Development Funding is for feature film documentaries and documentary series that are already in receipt of Screen Ireland funding under the First Stage Documentary Development category.
- Irish producers with a documentary film project or documentary series project that has already received First Stage Documentary Development funding or Documentary Development funding after 1st January 2023.
Animation: Television
This funding is for animated TV series originated and creatively led by Irish talents - directors, writers, producers, animators
Funding under this programme is generally provided by Screen Ireland for the making of projects predominantly in English or Irish, or a combination of the two.
You may be eligible if:
- You are an Irish producer with an animated TV single or series you wish to produce, clear access to necessary rights and broadcaster support
Featured upskill supports
Help your team to learn new skills to keep your business moving forward.
Here are some of the most popular supports for skills development that will help to keep your business on track.
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65 supports based on your selections
Skills to Advance: Retail—Specific Upskilling
Boost your retail business with highly subsidised upskilling opportunities
Skills to Advance provides flexible, accredited upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees and employers around Ireland. All programmes are delivered locally through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) nationwide and are available at little or no cost. Skills to Advance is an initiative of SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
Retail employers and employees who want to drive business performance and career progression through accredited and highly subsidised training. A wide range of courses are available, including leadership and management skills, customer service, food and beverage preparation training.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a small, medium or large enterprise
- You are in employment
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
HSA Website
HSA Website
Website for The Health and Safety Authority which was established under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989, which has since been replaced by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a employer, employee or member of the public
Bord Bia Library
Gather detailed and reliable information tailored to your food or drink business needs
This service lets businesses request a library search on any category, market, topic, or theme. Bord Bia’s qualified librarians conduct the search using a world-class information collection on your behalf.
Food or drink businesses that want to deepen their market insights, stay ahead of trends, and assess opportunities or challenges in their industry.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
European Digital Innovation Hub - CeADAR
One-stop shop supporting companies and public sector organisations to respond to digital challenges and become more competitive
This EDIH supports Enterprises and Public Sector Organisations in Ireland to understand and use data analytics and AI to empower their businesses.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a small to medium business
- You are a multi national business
- You are a public sector organisation
- You employ up to 3,000 employees
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Fáilte Ireland's Live Learning Schedule
Tourism & Hospitality Live learning sessions led by experts
A full annualised and dynamic calendar of online workshops courses and webinars help to build your employees’ industry knowledge, skills and capability of teams and help your business stay competitive and resilient. Courses also support businesses to identify and harness business development opportunities.
Businesses looking for opportunities for skill development on various aspects of the Irish tourism and hospitality industry.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
- an accommodation provider (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering)
- a restaurant or cafe
- an activity providers (tours, attractions, adventure activities)
- a tourism-related businesses (transport, retail, cultural experiences, festival)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Food Safety & You Training Programme
The FSAI runs two-day train-the-trainer workshops for Food Safety & You each year
The Food Safety & You training programme is designed to be delivered in the business, by supervisors/managers to staff, or by consultants to client businesses. During this workshop, you will be taught how to deliver the induction level course to staff.
The training programme is aimed at businesses who wish to become certified to deliver the induction level course to staff. The workshop will equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude to deliver and assess the food safety skills included in the induction level training programme
My Bord Bia
Find food and drink industry-specific resources and tools
A 24/7 portal that provides tailored access to all of Bord Bia's supports and services, based on your business’s industry.
Food or drink businesses of any size.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a Bord Bia client
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
LearniFI - Fáilte Ireland's Learning Platform
An e-learning platform for Tourism and Hospitality businesses
An online learning platform for tourism and hospitality busineses and staff teams offering over 250 courses and resources designed to enhance business capabilities.
The free platform supports businesses and their employees in skill development and team capability building, ultimately improving overall business performance and efficiency.
Businesses looking for opportunities to develop the skills of their employees and improve overall efficiency.
You might be eligible if you are a business in the Irish hospitality and tourism industry, such as:
- an accommodation provider (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering)
- a restaurant or cafe
- an activity providers (tours, attractions, adventure activities)
- a tourism-related businesses (transport, retail, cultural experiences, festival planning)
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.
Strategic Financial Leadership Programme
Industry-leading journey for CFOs and Finance Leaders to enhance their leadership and strategic finance capabilities
This 9-month long programme aims to cultivate a cohort of confident, skilled CFOs and Finance Leaders. This will elevate their ambition to be global leaders in their field, while boosting exports and creating jobs in Ireland.
The programme is designed for experienced CFO's and Finance Leaders of Enterprise Ireland client companies across all sectors. It is aimed at SMEs and Large companies, but all applications are assessed on their own merits.
Participants should:
- Be members of the senior leadership team.
- Have the ambition to scale and sustainably grow jobs and exports.
- Have the availability to commit to all aspects of the programme.
- Plan on integrating a strategic finance function or person within the business.
FET Micro-Qualifications: Lean Principles & Tools
Create more value with fewer resources through Lean Practices
Further Education and Training (FET) micro-qualifications are short, accredited, and highly subsidised upskilling programmes, developed under the Skills to Advance initiative. Improve your business’s productivity, processes and resource efficiency with the Lean Practice for Sustainable Business FET micro-qualifications.
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Employers and employees looking to access bite-sized, accredited upskilling programmes to develop lean business practices. Lean practices help you create value with fewer resources and less waste.
You may be eligible if:
- You are a small, medium or large enterprise
- You are in employment
Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions.