EGF (ex-Dell) Fund

What is The European Globilisation Fund (EGF)?

The EGF has been specially set up to fund individual support for workers made redundant from Dell. The fund will assist in preparation for alternative employment. One of the areas that is supported through the EGF fund is Business Start Up.  Limerick County Enterprise Board will help you access the EGF fund for Business Start Up. 

You are eligible for EGF assistance if you were made redundant between 8th January 2009 and 30^th April 2010. All PPS numbers are checked with EGF co-ordination unit for eligibility.

If you have any other general EGF questions i.e. eligibility, training, Fas etc contact The EGF Co-ordination Unit which is located in The Granary, Michael St, Limerick  061-405508.

I am interested in Starting a Business. How do I access the EGF fund?

To apply for EGF funding to Start A Business, Limerick County Enterprise Board will provide support through business mentors, who will work with you on all steps of the EGF process so you are fully supported in your application. Your application must show that you will start a viable business.

The steps to apply are:

You complete the initial EGF application form. It is important that you include your PPS number and copy of your RP50; otherwise delays to your application may occur.

•  Your PPS number is sent to EGF Co-ordination office to check you are eligible for the EGF fund.
• IIf you are eligible we will assign a business mentor to help you develop a business proposal so you can apply for the EGF fund. The business proposal helps you to develop the business idea. Your mentor will document the business proposal with you.
•    The business proposal is given to Limerick County Enterprise Board, who present it to the EGF Business Start Up Evaluation Committee on your behalf. The committee will determine the level of grant aid available according to your business proposal.

 Your EGF Application has been approved. What happens next?

You will receive a Grant Acceptance contract outlining the total amount your grant has been approved for and the amounts allocated. You must sign this contract and send in to us by the date highlighted on the contract.

2.  When we receive the signed contract we will put you in contact with a mentor who will help you through the stages required to access the grant money.

WhWhen can I receive my grant allocation?

All grants require a number of items to be submitted, before cheques can be issued. To ensure this process is straightforward and clear for you, a mentor will work with you to answer all your questions.

If you have been allocated an employment grant, there is a checklist of items we require to process your grant. Once we have received these items, we can issue the first 50% of the employment grant, with the remaining 50% payable 6 months from the date of the first cheque. Your mentor will take you through the checklist.  Once we have received all the supporting documentation, we can issue a cheque for the grant amount.

If you have been allocated a capital grant or any other grant,   there is a checklist of items we require to process your grant. Your mentor will take you through the checklist. Once we have received all the supporting documentation including invoices to show payments, we can issue a cheque for the grant amount.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long do I have to apply and access the EGF fund?

The EGF fund is closed September 2011, with the last round of Business applications for approval taken on June 2011.  All monies must be drawn down by this September 2011.

I started my business a few months ago, can I re-coup my initial costs?

Yes, you can claim business set up expenses paid on the business back to June 2009, when the EGF application was made to Europe.

How much funding can I get? Is there a maximum amount?

The amount you are awarded depends on the application you submit. There is not a pre-determined amount that you can apply for.All business plans are treated on an individual basis by the Evaluation Committee and grant amounts are determined on basis of the business proposal.

As a general guide - Each applicant is awarded an amount for their own employment cost. Typically this is €8000. You are given 50% of the employment cost initially, and the remainder 6 months after the date of the first cheque.  In addition,  any business start up will have a variety of costs – market research, equipment, etc.

Can I collect my grant prior to purchasing equipment?

For any capital expenditure, you must purchase the items first and then you will be re-imbursed on receipt of invoices.Currently, all other costs associated with your business start up are supported by 50% of the total cost as outlined in your business plan. Therefore if your equipment purchase costs €10, 000, you will be awarded €5000 in support of the cost.  

What is paid for upfront?

The EGF Fund will pay 100% of website costs or training costs directly to the provider. 3 quotations are required on training and websites.

Does the equipment purchased have to be new? Is Lease-hire acceptable?

Yes. Equipment purchased must be new and lease hire is accepted.

Can I collect my grant prior to purchasing equipment, paying for advertising etc?

The initial 50% of the employment allocation of the grant, which will be outlined in your contract, can be collected once your application has been approved.

Grant payment for the other items, such as capital items i.e. equipment purchase, utilities etc can only be issued to you once we have received your original invoices showing that you have paid the amount in full.

I need a Van to operate my business. Is this supported?

Mobile assets i.e. vans, JCB’s etc are not supported.

I am interested in operating a franchise. Is this supported?

There is a cap on the amount of assistance available for purchasing a franchise. The amount available depends on the type of franchise, what area it covers and the type of business.

My business requires more funding, than I initially thought? Can I re-apply?

Yes. Contact Limerick County Enterprise Board and we will help you re-submit an application.

I need to take on an employee. Can I re-apply?

Yes. Contact Limerick County Enterprise Board and we will help you re-submit an application.

I am not satisfied with the amount of grant Aid I received? Is there an appeals process?

Yes. Your initial appeal is through Limerick County Enterprise Board, and then on to the EGF Co-ordination Group.

I have started working since receiving redundancy, will this disqualify me from funding?

This is currently being clarified.

Will EGF funding affect my Jobseekers Benefit?

You cannot drawdown money from the EGF scheme and be on Jobseekers Benefit. You can drawdown money if you are on Short-term Enterprise Allowance. You will have to move to this scheme with the Social Welfare office. Same payments and duration apply as the jobseekers Benefit, but clarify with Social Welfare.

Can I be on Jobseekers Allowance and drawdown EGF funding?

No. You must be on Back to work Enterprise Allowance or Back to Work Allowance.

Will EGF funding affect my Back to Enterprise/Work Scheme?

No. EGF funding for business start up does not affect your Back to Work Payments.

Can I take on an employee who is on Back to work Allowance?

No. An employee must not be in receipt of any social welfare payments.

Can I take on a part time employee using an employment grant? How does the employment grant affect their social welfare payments?

Employment grants are issued on a pro-rata basis, so a part time employee is award a lesser grant amount. You will need to discuss with social welfare if entitlements are affected.

I don’t have an accountant, how do I get them to complete the letter of acceptance?

Contact limerick County Enterprise Board, 061-496520,and we will help you.

Can I get more grant aid applying for Enterprise Board standard grants?Are the Enterprise Board grants higher than EGF grants?

The grants available through the Enterprise Board are for business in the manufacturing or internationally traded service. Local service business or professional services do not qualify for grant aid. The business must show that there is potential to export. Grant aid is the same as the EGF fund - 50% of capital costs.The EGF fund has been especially adapted to allow the support of service business.