2020 - 2021
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
Enterprise Testimonial - Michael Buckley Michael Buckley identified a need for ‘ladderless gutter cleaning’. Using a SkyVac machine (which cleans and clears gutters, soffit and fascia), Michael can undertake high reach cleaning in awkward places quickly and easily. Michael’s equipment can extend up to four storey buildings. Michael furthered his knowledge by partaking in the IRD Duhallow’s SICAP funded Start Your Own Business course and set out a comprehensive business plan and market research before getting started. Mentoring The value of a mentor is having someone who can ask questions that clarify the situation and can help relieve the anxiety that builds when there is nowhere to articulate the doubts and concerns that a new entrepreneur might Schooling taking place at the LEADER Funded gallops feel starting out in owned by Michael Winters. This facility is open for hire by business. Funded through all local equestrians in the region. SICAP, the purpose of the IRD Duhallow Mentor scheme is to help meet with this need by using our panel of very experienced mentors who bring a range of skills, insights and backgrounds in a range of sectors. The mentoring period typically involves 4-5 sessions over a 12-month period with approximately 2 hours per session. The programme is completely free for successful applicants.
Cllr Gerard Murphy (North Cork LAG Vice Chair), Cllr Bernard Moynihan (North Cork LAG Chairman), John Corkery of Alu Cast, James O’Keeffe (IRD Duhallow), Willie Heffernan (Alu Cast), Maura Walsh (IRD Duhallow), Michael Twohig (IRD Duhallow) and Eileen Linehan (IRD Duhallow) at the LEADER Contract signing. Alu Cast were awarded funding for the purchase of a robotic welding cell.
The past 18 months have been extremely challenging, especially for small rural businesses in the Duhallow region. During this critical time, the Enterprise Working Group has worked tirelessly to disseminate information, about supports and initiatives aimed at supporting businesses who have been affected by lockdowns and restrictions. LEADER The Department of Rural and Community Development increased the rate of aid for private promoters under the LEADER programme from 50% to 75% to allow businesses who may have struggled due to COVID restrictions to invest in capital items. This will enable them to become more sustainable into the future. Since the commencement of LEADER 14-20, twenty-two businesses have received funding through the programme. This funding has helped sustain the existing 176 FTE and create an additional 68 Jenny Rose Clarke and Toby Simmonds new jobs. The LEADER artisan food received funding under the LEADER initiative, which provides funding artisan food initiative to purchase equipment for Toonsbridge Dairy. support for new and existing artisan, micro and small food producers, has also been extended during the CAP transition period. The LEADER Food Initiative provides financial supports to participants in the artisan food and beverage sector in areas such as market development, competitiveness, and innovation as well as for the renovation and extension of production facilities and the purchasing of processing equipment. Eligible businesses are those with an annual turnover of up to €10m and employing fewer than 50 people. The increase in the rate of aid to 75% was also welcomed in this measure. IRD Duhallow has supported five projects to be funded under this initiative.
Start You Own Business Training Through SICAP we delivered two Start Your Own Business Training programmes. The courses were delivered by Ruth Cosgrave of Via Lutea and focused on numerous aspects that entrepreneurs must consider before beginning your start-up, including your business idea, finances, and market research. Kerry Month of Enterprise Kerry Month of Enterprise (KMOE) is a month long celebration of local
SICAP Through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme, funding is provided to tackle poverty and social exclusion. One of the means of doing this is through supporting people to generate their own employment in establishing a business. We also work with smaller businesses to support them to Michael Buckley of Buckley’s Advanced Cleaning become sustainable and Services who started his own business with the generate employment.
Through SICAP, IRD Duhallow supported Kerry Month of Enterprise. Pictured at the launch is Moira Morrell Kerry County Council Manager and Mayor of Kerry; Councillor Patrick Connor-Scarteen along with project partners.
businesses. A series of events organised during the month gives established businesses and budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and discover the assistance available to them in growing and sustaining a business in Kerry. IRD Duhallow is a project partner along with Kerry County Council, Kerry Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland, Munster Technological University (Centre for Entrepreneurship Enterprise Development – CEED), North, East & West Kerry Development (NEWKD); South Kerry Partnership Development (SKDP), IDA Ireland and Udarás na Gaeltachta. This year to mark the event, we hosted two webinars focused on ‘Wellbeing in Remote Working’ with Jennifer Dowling of Train Remote.
support of SICAP.
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