Eighty small businesses have been successful in their applications for grants from the Fingal Local Enterprise Office (Fingal LEO), with funding from the government, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund,

Business Priming Grants for start-ups, Innovation Grants, Business Expansion Grants, Trading Online Vouchers, and Exporter Development Grants totalling €714,000 were approved in the past six months with the aim of stimulating enterprise and job creation.

Fingal LEO reported a "significant uptick" in applications for start-ups and business expansions since restrictions were lifted earlier this year, with the approved businesses located across the north Dublin catchment.

The successful firms are from sectors including food production, agri-tech, manufacturing recyclable cups and containers, online educational tools and apps, jewellery production, fragrances, and luxury personal products.

"It is heartening to see the resilience, innovation and the determination shown by businesses in the Fingal area," said AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council. "This is a positive day for business in Fingal and we are very happy to be part of their journey."

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Oisín Geoghegan, head of enterprise in Fingal, said: "In the first half of this year we have seen a strong resurgence in the small business community.

"Despite the challenges facing local businesses dealing with surging costs and threats to their competitiveness, there are many exciting start-ups emerging this year and it is great to see the large numbers of businesses that are investing in their future growth. We are delighted that the Local Enterprise Office can play a crucial role to assist and enable this growth”. 

The Business Priming Grant is a business start-up grant; the Business Expansion Grant is designed to assist business growth for firms after their initial 18-month start-up period. Both are capped at €80,000 and must in part be used to support employment.

The Feasibility/Innovation Grant assistance, capped at €15,000, is provided to individuals or businesses that wish to develop new products or services or explore international markets.

The Trading Online Vouchers grant (up to €2,500) is part of the National Digital strategy aimed at supporting Irish small businesses while they enhance their online presence and helps recipients to develop an e-commerce platform.

The Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters grant provides up to €2,500 in matched funding to businesses who are looking to expand their export lines.

Business Priming, Business Expansion and Innovation Grants awarded to:

Exporters Grants awarded to:

Trading Online Vouchers awarded to:

Photo: Grant ecipients with the Fingal LEO team and CEO of Fingal AnnMarie Farrelly. (Pic: Fintan Clarke/Coalesce)