Online Trading Vouchers Scheme
With the increasing trend in online spending, the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR) wants to encourage small Irish businesses to develop their digital presence and has teamed up with the Local Enterprise Office Sligo as a pilot to deliver the Online Trading Vouchers Scheme.
It is estimated that only 23% of small Irish businesses use e-commerce in any meaningful way; and that of all the online purchases made in Ireland, 70% are related to purchases from overseas markets with this in mind the National Digital Strategy aims to get a further 2,500 businesses trading online by the end of 2015 to avoid missing significant commercial opportunities.
Online Trading Vouchers can be used for upgrading an e-commerce website, online payment systems, application development, internet related software and much more. The support available is up to €2500 or 50% excluding VAT.
Eligibility Criteria
- Vouchers will be available to a maximum value of €2,500 or 50% of eligible expenditure (net of VAT)
- Voucher approval must be gained prior to incurring any expense
- ‘Own Labour’ is not an eligible expense
- Only ‘third-party’ costs will be considered
- All ‘third party’/supplier Invoices must contain comprehensive business details, incl. Tax & Business registration information
How to apply
In order to apply for an Online Trading Voucher, you must firstly attend a FREE training session on how to use and get the best value for money from the voucher.
The next training session takes place on the June 30th from 9.30am – 1pm.
To attend this Free Training session contact the Local Enterprise Office Sligo for an ‘Expression of Interest’ form.
Or contact the OSD Digital Agency Team on 071 9170024 or email info@osd.ie to discuss this opportunity.
Please note as this is a Pilot scheme places are limited so we would recommend to express your interest as soon as possible to avail of this opportunity
For further information go to www.localenterprise.ie/Sligo/Financial-Supports/Online-Trading-Vouchers-Scheme/
