Enterprise

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 new jobs. The LEADER artisan food initiative, which provides funding 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.

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 become sustainable and generate employment.

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 feel starting out in business. Funded through 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.

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.

Jenny Rose Clarke and Toby Simmonds received funding under the LEADER artisan food initiative to purchase equipment for Toonsbridge Dairy.

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.

Schooling taking place at the LEADER Funded gallops owned by Michael Winters. This facility is open for hire by all local equestrians in the region.

Kerry Month of Enterprise

Kerry Month of Enterprise (KMOE) is a month long celebration of local

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.