Expansion of Trading Online voucher will help businesses

A major expansion of the Trading Online Voucher scheme will help small and micro enterprises in Westmeath to get their business online, a Fine Gael Councillor has said.

Councillor John Dolan encouraged all suitable small businesses in Westmeath to apply to help meet the ongoing trading challenges stemming from the COVID-19 crisis.

“The expansion of this scheme is wonderful news for small businesses in Westmeath and all over Ireland," Cllr John Dolan said.

“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.

“Local Enterprise Offices received 3 years’ worth of applications in 3 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.”

“The scheme is an essential part of our Covid-19 business supports for small businesses, and it is vital that we continue to make it available for enterprises to meet the ongoing trading challenges," the Kilgarvan public representative explained.

“Thousands of small businesses across the country and many across Westmeath have already benefited from funding under the scheme. The additional funding announced will mean that total funding for the scheme has been increased by almost 1000%.”

Councillor Dolan continued: “Now more than ever enterprises are relying on their online capabilities to interact with their customers.

“This funding will provide crucial support in these very challenging times. It will also ensure that enterprises are building the capacity now which will see them well positioned to take advantage of the digital transformation into the future, as more and more consumers take their business online.”

“The ability to trade online has become more and more valuable as we move through the phases of re-opening the economy, particularly as we face into a period of reduced capacity on shop floors.

“A quality online presence compliments your existing bricks and mortar business and allows you to advertise and trade to a much wider customer base.

“Online sales have been a lifeline to many SMEs during COVID19 and we have seen major success stories of small businesses actually increasing their sales during the pandemic due to their online platform. We want to make sure that continues.”

“Businesses and companies that remain offline are missing out, not only on the opportunity to pivot their business model in tackling the current challenges, but also in being part of Ireland’s future digital economy.”

“I would like to commend Ministers Heather Humphreys and Richard Bruton, on their strong commitment to the Trading Online Voucher Scheme and to supporting the increasing demand from small enterprises to develop or upgrade their online presence,” he concluded.