Ireland has been characterized as a country that attracts investment and innovation. It was for this reason that in 2013 it created the Marketing Fund program, worth 21 million euros. This in order to promote innovative ideas by financing the development of new companies focused on technology. The aim was to improve the competitiveness of its economy by creating this hotbed. But at the same time the transfer of these new proposals to Irish industry developed in research centers and higher education.
The idea of the Marketing Fund is to meet the needs of the markets through the development of innovations. Said innovations had to have the optimal characteristics to be commercialized in the national industry. Even if they could form a new company in a short period of time. The maximum amount of financing oscillated between 80 thousand and 350 thousand euros. Enterprise Ireland has funded dozens of commercialization projects in fields ranging from food to ICT, engineering or energy.
However, the current panorama focuses on offering aid to other sectors that have been affected.
Irish Government aid in the face of health contingency
The current world situation has affected the economy of all nations. Each country has sought the means and ways to alleviate the effects of this unprecedented crisis. Ireland has not been the exception, so its Government offers financial support. This aid applies to those who have been affected by confinement by losing their job or by the closure of companies.
If you are Spanish and you live in Ireland, you can also apply to request this type of aid from the Irish Government, as we will see below.
Pandemic Unemployment Payment
It is an aid that is aimed at anyone who resides in the Emerald Isle and is in the range of 18 to 66 years of age. If you have lost your job due to closure or even temporarily, or if you are freelance or self-employed, you can request it. This aid guarantees that while the effects of the pandemic continue, you will be able to receive up to 350 euros per week. For more information in this regard, there are the Citizen Information, Mywelfare and Apply on-line links.
Short Time Work Support
If you are a person who had the number of days or hours a week reduced and you worked 5 days, you can request this help. You can choose if you work three days or less and are willing to work 5 days a week. The online application is through the account you have in MyGovid. The amount is based on the days that they reduced you and your withholdings.
Illness Benefit for Absences COVID-19
Whether you’re homebound or hospitalized, you can opt for this help. It offers 350 euros per week, offering you payment for two weeks, if you are confined. But if you are in a hospital you can access it for up to 10 weeks. telephones 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 or request it by email to forms@welfare.ie so that it can be sent via postal mail to your address.
Other types of aid offered by Ireland
In the face of Brexit, Ireland has also offered help to companies since 2019. For small and medium-sized companies the amount ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 euros. The Irish Minister for Enterprise, Business and Innovation presented this assistance plan. The purpose is that they can afford the services of professional consultants. This means familiarizing yourself with topics like customs requirements, finance, tariff codes, weaknesses in the supply chain. For this, the help of 2,000 euros.
In the case of the 5,000 euro aid, called “Brexit implementation”, the State assumes half. In addition to help and interactive tools to learn about tariff changes resulting from the separation with the EU. Ireland, anticipating a possible no-deal Brexit, created a fund with 1.2 billion euros to sustain its economy. The Irish finance minister announced this package since 2019, which does not include EU funding. Half of that amount would go to the agricultural or tourism sector.