Ministers Humphreys and Bruton announced earlier this month, a major expansion of €14.2 million of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme to help small and micro enterprises to get online quickly. The Scheme is being expanded after the Local Enterprise Offices received three years’ worth of applications in three months following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ireland. Following a previous expansion of the Scheme in early April, total additional funding for the Scheme is now almost €20m in 2020.

Under the Scheme, small businesses can claim up to €5,000 in two grants worth €2,500 each. The Scheme also facilitates subscriptions to low-cost online retailing platform solutions to quickly establish a retailing presence online.

Trading Online Vouchers can be used for:

• development or upgrade of an e-commerce website, such as implementing online payments or booking systems
• purchase of internet-related software - online advertising (subject to limits)
• development of an app
• development and/or implementation of a digital marketing strategy
• consultation with ICT experts
• training and support to develop and manage your online trading activity and subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions

For further details, visit the Trading Online Voucher Scheme web-page.