Business Start-Up
Leitrim Development Company (LDC) can provide support and guidance for people who are interested in starting their own business. These include:
- One to one mentoring and advice to help you develop your idea into a sustainable business.
- Business planning and development.
- Advice on the legal obligations around starting your own business.
- Information on funding available for business start ups and business expansion.
- Start your own business courses and other business related training.
- Assistance with applications for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.LDC in partnership with Intreo implements the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Programme.
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) Programme
The BTWEA encourages unemployed people to become self-employed. To qualify, you must be in receipt of one of the following payments for 9 months or more;
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Jobseeker's Benefit (with an underlying entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance)*
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Blind Pension
- Disability Allowance
- Carer's Allowance (having stopped caring duties)
- Farm Assist
- Invalidity Pension
- Incapacity Supplement
- Widow's/Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
or
Illness Benefit for 3 or more years
If you qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance you can keep the following portion of your social welfare payment, including increases for a qualified adult and qualified children, for a maximum of 2 years:
- 100% for the 1st year
- 75% for the 2nd year
Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA)
The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) gives support to people who have lost their job and want to start their own business.
To qualify you must be getting Jobseeker’s Benefit. There is no qualifying period, which means you do not need to have been getting Jobseeker’s Benefit for a certain period of time. However, you will not qualify if you are getting Jobseeker’s Benefit and working part-time.
LDC and Intreo must approve applications for both BTWEA and STEA before starting the business.
Enterprise Support Grant (ESG)
In addition to income support (your weekly payment), you can also get financial support with the costs of setting up your business. These supports are provided under a scheme called the Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) available through Intreo.
You can only get the ESG if you have been approved for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. The business plan you submit as part of your application for the scheme must set out the rationale and requirement for financial support. The ESG can pay a total of €2,500 in any 24-month period (The ESG is paid to people getting the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance pro-rata). You must be able to make a matching contribution of at least 20% to access grant support and provide documentary evidence of the costs (quotations from at least 2 suppliers or, if a single supplier, the reasons for choosing a single supplier).
How to apply
To make an application for BTWEA/STEA the following is required;
- Business Plan with a minimum 1 year financial projections
- Register as self-employed with Revenue
- Completed application form
- Complete a Start Your Own Business Course
We can provide assistance with all of the above. For more information contact Liam O Brien on 071-9641770 Ext. 206 or liam@ldco.ie
