National Enterprise Hub directly supported 6,500 SMEs in first 12 months

More than 6,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Ireland have received direct support from the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) in its first 12 months, according to figures released this week.

The NEH, a Government-wide initiative led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, was launched in 2024 to streamline access to the broad range of Government supports available to Irish businesses.

It now serves as a centralised resource for over 250 supports across 30 Government Departments and State Agencies.

Since its launch, the Hub has attracted more than 220,000 users to its website and offers a full-time phone line connecting businesses with specialist advisors.

Grants accessed by SMEs through the Hub have typically ranged from €3,000 to €7,000, aimed at helping companies manage cashflow, expand operations, and improve productivity amid concerns about rising costs and competitiveness.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, praised the NEH’s performance over the past year, stating: “With over 6,500 companies engaging in its first 12 months, the National Enterprise Hub has proven effective in streamlining and simplifying access for SMEs to government supports, equipping them with vital digital and sustainability resources to navigate rising costs and stay competitive."

Minister Burke also signalled a renewed focus on reducing the red tape around grant applications, with plans underway to consolidate multiple processes into a single, simplified application path.

“We must redouble our efforts to simplify processes for businesses and make sure that we think about small businesses first,” he said.

The Hub has proven especially useful for SMEs in sectors such as tourism and hospitality, retail, construction, food, health and beauty, and professional services.

A current awareness campaign is highlighting sustainability-focused grants like the Local Enterprise Office’s Energy Efficiency Grant and SEAI’s Business Energy Upgrade Scheme.

Conor O’Donovan, Head of Start-Ups and the National Enterprise Hub, said the team has exceeded initial engagement targets: “One of the main aims of the Hub was to engage with businesses who haven’t availed of government supports to date and to make the process of availing of government supports faster and easier.

“Small businesses who are engaging with the National Enterprise Hub are concerned about rising cost of business and competitiveness – that is why a single source of government support for businesses is important to ensure that accessing the right information is made easier.”

Audrey Hughes, CEO of Principle HR, shared her company’s experience: “Like so many Irish SMEs, we are focused on providing the highest quality of service delivery to our customers, while remaining competitive.

"Accessing government supports to assist can feel daunting but the National Enterprise Hub made the process so much easier by putting us in contact with the right agency whose support and expertise fitted our needs."

The NEH continues to encourage all Irish SMEs to visit neh.gov.ie or call the Hub to explore available supports.

*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.