There are over 80 different government supports available to small businesses but many of them are not well known or understood. Each week in the SFA e-zine, we will profile a different support that could improve your business, giving you information and advice.

Job Expansion Fund

What? 

Financial support of up to €150,000 (max. €15,000 per employee) for the recruitment of at least three new employees over and above a company’s base employment position.

The fund is available to Enterprise Ireland client companies that fulfil certain criteria:

• Adding at least three new full time jobs
• Contracts must be permanent or fixed term contracts of at least three years
• No displacement of existing jobs
• Minimum increase in company turnover of €350,000 in the two years following the award of the grant
• Base number of jobs and new jobs must be retained for at least three years

The maximum grant support per job is €15,000, with the percentage of funding depending on where the company is based:

• Cork, Dublin, Kildare (excl. Athy), Meath (excl. Kells), Wicklow (excl. Arklow) = max. 20%
• All other regions = max 30%

Why? 

Job creation is a key priority for government and is part of the remit of Enterprise Ireland. The Job Expansion Fund aims to support job creation in small and medium size enterprises in tandem with a clear development plan for the company.

How? 

EI client companies should speak to their Enterprise Ireland Advisor before submitting an application. If you are not an EI client, please contact your local Enterprise Ireland office to discuss eligibility criteria.

Applicants must submit a completed application form and a project costs sheet by 6pm on the closing date listed on the Job Expansion Fund website. The upcoming closing dates are 17 October 2017, 7 November 2017, 12 December 2017.

Assessment of applications and approval takes approximately eight weeks.

Tips

If you are interested in applying, don’t forget:

• Applicant companies should have 10-250 employees and operate in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector
• Companies should have been revenue generating for at least two years
• The fund is now available to High Potential Start Up (HPSU) companies
• The jobs created cannot be in the areas of sales or marketing
• Employees must not be agency staff or consultants and must be based in Ireland
• More information is available on the Job Expansion Fund page on the Enterprise Ireland website