Interested in getting up to €2,500 back towards the cost of your new website? Then it’s time to check out all the upcoming deadlines for the Online Trading Voucher Scheme with your Local Enterprise Office.

What is an Online Trading Voucher?

The Local Enterprise Office states that the scheme has been launched:

“…to support small Irish businesses to enhance their online trading presence. The objective of the scheme is to help small businesses grow their sales, exports and ultimately jobs.”

These Online Trading Vouchers are available up to the value of €2,500 (50% of eligible costs up to the maximum of €2,500). 

The maximum project cost is therefore €5,000 (€2,500 your own costs and then €2,500 in online trading vouchers). The project total can go above and beyond €5,000, but the voucher maximum is €2,500. So plan ahead and maximise your investment in your online presence.

“Online Trading Voucher” or “Trading Online Voucher”?

The official line is “Trading Online Voucher”, but public consensus is calling them “Online Trading Voucher”, because that makes a lot more sense. They are the same thing.

Is my business eligible?

The vouchers are meant for businesses that either have none or a limited online trading presence. So this is the micro-checklist to see if you can apply:

  • Less than 10 employees
  • Turnover less than €2million
  • Applicants must be registered
  • Trading for minimum of 12 months.

Note: ineligible projects include those with charitable status, commercial semi-state companies, ‘’not for profit’’ organisations, trade associations and company representation bodies such as Chambers of Commerce.

Vouchers can be used for:

The Trading Online Vouchers can be used for the

  • development or upgrade of an e-commerce website such as implementing online payments or booking systems
  • purchase of Internet related software
  • online advertising
  • development of an app
  • implementation of a digital marketing strategy
  • consultation with ICT experts for early stage adopters of online strategy
  • training/skills development specifically to establish and manage an online trading activity

Vouchers cannot be used for:

  • Development of brochure websites
  • Purchase of non-internet related software
  • Anything other than online trading related activity

Mark your calendars – important dates! 

Below is a list of application deadlines and dates of Online Trading Voucher scheme information seminars (mandatory for most applications) across Ireland:

DUBLIN CITY – next seminar October 24th BOOK HERE

DUBLIN FINGAL – next seminar November 24th BOOK HERE

SOUTH DUBLIN – next seminar October 23rd CLICK HERE

DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN – next seminar on October 17th BOOK HERE

GALWAY – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

CARLOW – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

WICKLOW – deadline for applications is November 2nd CLICK HERE

WESTMEATH – next seminar October 18th BOOK HERE

MEATH – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

KILDARE – next seminar November 14th BOOK HERE

OFFALY – next seminar October 19th BOOK HERE

CAVAN – next seminar October 17th BOOK HERE

LOUTH – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE 

DONEGAL – next seminar on November 7th BOOK HERE

LONGFORD – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

LEITRIM – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

ROSCOMMON – next seminar November 21st BOOK HERE

MAYO – currently accepting applications  BOOK HERE

SLIGO – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

LAOIS – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

KILKENNY – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

LIMERICK next seminar November 23rd BOOK HERE

CLARE – next seminar October 24th BOOK HERE

KERRY –  ENQUIRE HERE

CORK NORTH & WEST – currently accepting applications HERE

SOUTH CORK – deadline for applications is October 24th APPLY HERE

CORK CITY – next seminar October 27th BOOK HERE

TIPPERARY – currently accepting applications CLICK HERE

WATERFORD – next seminar October 31st BOOK HERE

WEXFORD –next seminar November 28th BOOK HERE

 There are a number of steps to the process, but the very first step in application is to register for one of the upcoming Online Trading Voucher Seminars. Follow this link to your Local Enterprise Office and follow the steps there.

Good Luck!