Ballyhaunis Chamber
Supporting Local Businesses and the Ballyhaunis Community
Talk: Sustainability in Irish Agriculture - all welcome
Recent articles
How to prepare for WRC (Workplace Relations Commission)
How to prepare for WRC inspections
Employers are often visited by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) asking to inspect employee records such as payslips, employment contracts, annual leave entitlements, public holidays, etc. Here’s our advice on making sure you’ve got everything covered…
In order to ensure compliance and avoid fines, employers paying below the National Minimum Wage for training purposes must implement a structured training programme which allows the lower payment.
Vacant Homes
Mayo County Council has launched an iniative through a new national website designed to gather information on vacant homes throughout the country. Local government wants to engage with owners to assist in bringing these homes back in to use.
To see how it works, log on to www.vacanthomes.ie
Excellence in Local Government Awards 2017.
Excellent Work Undertaken by Local Authorities Highlighted In Awards Shortlist
Chambers Ireland today (3 August 2017) announced the shortlist for the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2017. This year there are a total of twenty three Local Authorities shortlisted over sixteen categories ranging from Active Communities to Local Authority Innovation. The 2017 Excellence in Local Government Awards are sponsored by Vodafone and held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Regional Enterprise Development Fund
The Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) of up to €60m which was launched back in May, closing dates are looming.
The funding is being delivered through two Scheme calls, the first call will fund projects under the Regional EnterpriseDevelopment Fund of up to €35m in grant support. The second call under this Scheme will fund projects from the remaining balance of the €60m budget available.
Please note the closing date for the first call for Stream 1,2,3 and 4 is 3pm Friday 18th August 2017.
CETA Ratification Pivotal to Future of EU Trade Agenda
Today (14th February 2017) on the eve of the European Parliament’s crucial vote on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada, Chambers Ireland and national Chambers from across Europe call on EU leaders and governments to stand firmly in favour of an inclusive and forward-looking EU trade agenda, while also warning that recent complications around the deal have highlighted that the effectiveness of the EU’s common commercial policy is at stake.
Local Online Event
Learn what exactly is happening in the online retail sector and how your business can become part of the consumer spend. Guest Speakers from Amazon Data Services
Mayo Chambers, Mayo LEO and DMIM are jointly organising an event called Local Online. This event will be held in Breaffy House on the 7th March from 7pm-9pm for Enterprise Week.
Enterprise Irelands 5k Innovation Vouchers Now Open for Application
The Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small businesses.
Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist a company or companies to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.
Am I eligible?
Ballyhaunis Chamber AGM
The Ballyhaunis Chamber AGM was held on Thursday the 1st December whereby a new Ballyhaunis Chamber Executive committee was put in place. The following were nominated and proposed to the Board: Tom Forde, Mark Curley, William Nestor, Mike Griffin, Paddy Phillips, Paul Finn, Eddie Murphy Jnr., John Dillon Leetch, Tom Colleran, Alison McDermott, Sue McMillan. Once the Reports were read the meeting for the election of officers was arranged to take place on Monday 12thDecember.
Enterprise Ireland announce €200k agri-business feasibility fund
A new Enterprise Ireland Competitive Feasibility Fund for agri-businesses has been launched by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor today.
The purpose of the Competitive Feasibility Fund is to enable promoters to assess the viability and market potential of their business ideas.
Business Mentoring
TheLocal Enterprise Office Castlebar provides business advice and mentoring to existing and potential clients.
Business Meeting
This free service is geared towards those who are considering starting their own businesses, those who have recently done so and existing start ups that are moving to the next stage of their development. A business advice and counselling meeting will initially point you in the right direction and help you prioritise the actions you need to implement to make progress.
Interest rate cut for small business
New mentoring assistance available for micro-enterprises through Local Enterprise Offices
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell-O’Connor T.D., today (17th June) welcomed the news that Microfinance Ireland (or MFI), the not-for-profit Government Agency providing funded finance to micro-enterprises, is offering micro-businesses the opportunity to avail of a cut in its interest rates (down by 1%) from 1st July 2016.
Competitive Start Fund- International Entrepreneurs
Enterprise Ireland are running a competiton for start-ups that are currently based outside Ireland. Investment of €50 k for a 10% equity stake plus mentor, development program, assistance with banking and accommodation.
R&D Fund Standard Projects
Overview of the R&D Fund Standard Projects (Maximum Grant of €650,000)
The R&D Fund exists to support projects which have the potential to develop novel products and services with a clear competitive advantage in their target market. This will enable companies to increase employment through sustainable and substantially increased sales.
The R&D Fund will help companies to achieve the following:
A demonstrable connection between R&D and the overall business objectives.
Would you like to do business in the US? Ireland West International Trade Centre
The ‘Ireland West International Trade Centre’ is a collaborative partnership developing a soft landing platform in the US for companies, businesses and entrepreneurs based in the West and North West of Ireland. Our strategy is to assist indigenous companies explore export opportunities in the US.
Our objective with our partners in Rhode Island is to provide a cost-effective client based service to identified companies in the region. Supporting our companies with direct support, networking and connectivity with US based Diaspora.
Procurement Opportunities and eTenders
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) encourages all SMEs to keep informed of potential tender opportunities in coming months. Register on www.etenders.gov.ie to see all Irish public sector procurement opportunities.
Also visit the OGP website www.procurement.ie or follow their twitter feed @procurement_ie to keep up to date with regular news.
Chambers Ireland and Law Society Launch Guide for SMEs to the Companies Act
A new guide to the Companies Act 2014 was launched yesterday (08/09/15) by Chambers Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland.
The Companies Act is the largest piece of legislation ever to come into effect in Ireland and fundamentally changes the legal environment in which businesses operate. The aim of this guide is to highlight the most important pieces of information for companies in a clear and concise manner.
