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Enterprise Support Grant

Up to €2,500 across the two years of a Back to Work Enterprise Allowance claim. On the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance it is pro-rata: up to €1,000 on a nine month claim and up to €625 on a six month one. Every category of spending has its own limit inside that total, and you pay 20% of the cost yourself, or 10% for business mentoring and short training courses.

Last checked September 2026

What it is

A grant of up to €2,500 towards the cost of starting your own business, for people approved for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance. It pays towards business equipment, a laptop or computer, job-specific tools, public liability insurance, a website, signage, business cards and flyers, accountancy or legal advice, business registration, protective clothing, office supplies, business mentoring and short training courses. You have to be approved for one of the two enterprise allowances first, so it is not open to everybody starting a business. If you cannot get an answer locally: Working Age Schemes Policy, Enterprise Support Grant, Department of Social Protection, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim N41 KD81. BacktoworkAllce@welfare.ie, 0818 927999 or 071 9672616. Short link gov.ie/esg.

Who can get it

You have been approved for either the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance. The Department's guidelines say no other category of customer on a social welfare payment is eligible for this grant
You have a business proposal an Employment Personal Adviser considers viable and sustainable
You can put in 20% of the cost yourself, or 10% for business mentoring and short training, and show it with a bank statement or similar if you are asked

Good to know

THE TIMING IS WHAT CATCHES PEOPLE. The guidelines say the grant is not a funding stream to assist cash flow and cannot be applied for retrospectively for costs already incurred, and that there are no circumstances in which an advance payment will be made. So you agree it first, buy the item, then claim it back on a paid invoice.
You need two quotations for whatever you are buying, then an original invoice marked paid and proof that you paid it. Payment can go to you or straight to the supplier if you cannot buy it up front.
The limits by category: business equipment, job-specific tools and public liability insurance up to €1,000 each; accountancy or legal advice, advertising and marketing, business mentoring, short training, signage, a website and upgrading a premises you own up to €500 each; business registration, compliance training, office supplies and protective clothing up to €250 each.
It will not pay for premises rent, travel, any vehicle, stock, renovations to a premises you do not own, personal clothing or uniforms, professional membership fees, or any insurance other than public liability.
Only one grant is payable per business, no matter how many people set it up together. Claims under €100 are not accepted, except for training or mentoring.
Public liability is the only insurance covered. Vehicle insurance is not.
It is discretionary and administrative, so a refusal cannot be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. You can ask for a review by an officer not involved in the original decision, or by a more senior one.

How to apply

Applications go through DSP. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 12 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

How much is the Enterprise Support Grant worth?

Up to €2,500 across the two years of a Back to Work Enterprise Allowance claim. On the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance it is pro-rata, up to €1,000 on a nine month claim and €625 on a six month one. Each category of spending has its own limit inside that total.

Can I get it if I am just starting a business?

Only if you have been approved for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance first. The Department's guidelines say no other scheme category of customer on a social welfare payment is eligible, and the grant cannot be used to support other forms of business start-up.

Can I buy the equipment now and claim it back later?

No. The guidelines say it cannot be applied for retrospectively for costs already incurred, and no advance payments are made either. Agree it with your Employment Personal Adviser first, then buy it and claim on a paid invoice.

How much do I have to pay myself?

20% of the cost in most categories, and 10% for business mentoring and for short training courses. You may be asked for a bank statement showing you can cover your share.

Where do I apply?

There is no public application form. All referrals go through an Employment Personal Adviser at your local Intreo Centre, ideally at the same time as your enterprise allowance application, with the costs written into your business plan.

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