Enterprise

The National policy document‘Our Rural Future ’ sets out a framework for the development of rural Ireland over the next five years. Pivotal to achieving the targets set out within the document is the creation and sustainment of quality jobs. This is the primary focus and objective of IRD Duhallow ’ s Enterprise Working Group. Rural economies are particularly vulnerable and the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted significantly on certain sectors in the Duhallow region. However, the recent OECD report ‘Policy implications of Coronavirus Crisis for Rural Development’ showcases the potential opportunities brought about by COVID-19. It has required businesses to rethink existing approaches to issues that impact on rural areas and to develop strategies to overcome future economic shocks. IRD Duhallow ’ s efforts have concentrated on providing supports to businesses to allow them to become more resilient focusing on diversification and digitisation.

LEADER

Willie Heffernan and John Corkery of Alu Cast demonstrating the Cobotic Welding Arm that was funded through LEADER.

Participants of the Start Your Own Business Programme that was delivered with the support of SICAP. Project partners of Kerry Month of Enterprise at the event’ s official launch.

McCarthy ’ s Butchers received funding under the Artisan Food Measure to upgrade their equipment.

The LEADER 14-20 and its subsequent transitionary programme has seen local businesses receive in excess of nine hundred thousand euro in funding. Through this over 250 jobs have been supported. We supported a number of companies to apply for Artisan food grants through the national measure, which focused on providing support for new and existing micro and small food producers.

SICAP

Through the SICAP programme, IRD Duhallow offers a suite of targeted supports to those who are distanced from the labour market to start their own business. We operate a dedicated mentoring programme, where entrepreneurs can receive up to ten hours one to one time with an experienced mentor to support them and provide independent advice and counsel to develop their business.

This year we have delivered two SICAP supported Start Your Own Business Training programmes as well as a one-day Business Bootcamp. These programmes focus on the essentials of starting your own business from understanding company structure, basic finance, sales, marketing and business planning. The programmes were delivered by local tutor Ruth Cosgrave of Via Lutea. Through these SICAP funded initiatives, entrepreneurs are supported to develop viable business plans. Many go on to apply for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short Term Enterprise Allowance, which affords them the reassurance of a continuing welfare payment whilst taking the plunge of starting their own business and even on to LEADER grants to grow and expand.

Kerry Month of Enterprise:

Now in its 9th year, Kerry Month of Enterprise takes place annually in March and is a month-long celebration of Enterprise activities that take place across the county throughout the year. A series of events organised each March 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. Kerry month of enterprise is a collaborative initiative between Munster Technological University, Kerry County Council, Kerry Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, North, East and West Kerry Development, South Kerry Partnership Development, IRD Duhallow and IDA Ireland. IRD Duhallow was delighted to be involved again this year, attending events and running a Business Breakfast in support of Enterprise in the Duhallow Region. A feature in Kerry ’ s Eye ’ s “Enterprise for the Future ” Special highlighted the supports available to businesses in the form of training through Duhallow Skillnet and Enterprise Assistance on offer from the team in IRD Duhallow.

Remote Working and Digitalisation

The pandemic brought about a changed way of working in the region and we have witnessed a large increase in the number of people remote working. Through the support of LEADER a number of community hubs have been funded in Tureencahill, Glash, Aubane, Laharn, Banteer and Kilbrin. The slow roll out of the National Broadband Plan across Duhallow has meant that these hubs play an important role in supporting people to remote work who may otherwise not have access to high quality internet.