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What is Public Procurement? Public Procurement (also called Public Purchasing or Public Sector Buying) is the term used to refer to the process of purchasing supplies and services by public bodies. How can it benefit my business? Ireland's 300 public sector organizations are responsible for a combined annual expenditure on goods and services in the region of €4.4billion. These organizations are responsible for the delivery of all the public services e.g. from health to education to public housing to social welfare and public administration. They also provide the utility services of water, gas, electricity and transport. As a result, the public sector purchases everything from paperclips to passenger cars and from catering to consultancy services. How does it work? Due to Ireland's membership of the European Union, the award of public sector contracts is regulated by the European Treaties and by European directives and national rules. This means that all public sector contracts EU wide must follow the same procedure and be published across member states, encouraging all to apply. The objective is to facilitate equal treatment and transparency in public sector buying. The Irish Government Public Procurement web site gives information and access to public sector procurement opportunities advertised in OJEC and in the national and local press. Enterprise Ireland provide information and a guide to public sector contracts The Irish Government Public Procurement web site gives information and access to public sector procurement opportunities advertised in OJEC and in the national and local press. The European Information Centre (EIC) in the Chamber can provide information and advice in relation to public procurement. To download the Guide “Public Procurement made easy for the EIC customer” Please click here The supplies and services procured by the public sector offer a readily accessible market for SME's. There are three main methods which different organizations use to source goods and services:
Tender notices are published in national and provincial Irish newspapers and periodicals at the discretion of the contracting authorities. These, together with the OJEC notices are compiled in summary form and published commercially on a weekly/ daily basis. Service providers in this area include: Irish Government Portal: Tenders Electronic Daily (TED): Enterprise Europe Network Galway SIMAP (Public Procurement Information System) A free internet service which links to TED and contains more information on public procurement. Commercial Information Company (CIC): EPIN (European Procurement Information Network): Tender Services Ireland: Galway Business Information Centre: Almost 70% of people who become self-employed do not prepare themselves properly for their new role and responsibilities. Specifically, almost 90% do not study their market. As a result, on average about 50% of businesses in Europe fail within five years of starting. Below are some questions to help focus those thinking of starting their own business. Key Questions: 1. Do you have the skills/experience needed to run a business? 2. Does your business idea test out? 3. Do you need further training? 4. Are you ready to write your business plan? Who can help? See our links page for a list of organisations Please find below link to the powerpoint presentations from the evening Seminar "Supports for Starting your Business" "Starting in Business from the Revenue Perspective" "Developing High Potential Start-Up Businesses" "Supporting Start Up Businesses" Download Galway Chamber "Guide to Starting a Business in Ireland"
The Irish Revenue Office provides a wide variety of information including a guide for start-up businesses. Information on taxes and registration forms can be downloaded from their web site. The Companies Registration Office for Ireland is the authority for the incorporation of new companies and the registration of business names in the Republic of Ireland. The Office is also responsible for the receipt and registration of post incorporation documents, for enforcement of the filing requirements of companies and for the provision of information to the public. For a complete guide on how to start your own business, check out the web site of the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment. There are an endless list of books available on this topic. You may wish to try "Starting a Business in Ireland" published by Oak Tree Press, Dublin. Where to get funding? See: Grants & Funding Am I eligible for a grant? Priority for grants traditionally been given to manufacturing companies on the basis that the products that they will produce will either be exported or replace imports coming in and will thus have a significant positive impact on the Irish economy in terms of job creation and wealth creation. It has been recognized however that there are opportunities for service companies in a number of sectors to operate on an international scale. Several sectors within the service industry are now considered eligible for grant assistance. In general, companies which only serve the Irish market are unlikely to be awarded grant assistance. However the major exception to this rule is the grant package offered by the County Enterprise Boards. County Enterprise Boards can assist non-export service companies if the business can demonstrate a local demand and prove that there will be no job displacement from a similar firm in the area. How can I access grants/ loans from the EU? European funding in Ireland comes in under three main programmes: Structural Funds - these funds are mainly dispersed to and through Government departments and agencies and many of them part-fund grant schemes available to businesses. Cohesion Funds - these funds are provided directly to the government to help finance major infrastructure projects such as railway lines, ports, roads etc. Direct from the European Union (EU) - there is a wide range of grant programmes which are administered directly by the EU and are open to all businesses. Applications for these programmes need to be detailed and usually require collaboration between companies in at least 2 or 3 European countries. For more information contact your local Euro Info Centre, / Galway Euro Info Centre. Many of the EU financial instruments for SME's are overseen by The European Investment Fund, an EU institution. Who provides grant assistance? Bord Bia & Teagasc offer grants and support to businesses in the food sector. Bord Failte offers assistance to tourism projects (however most of these funds are allocated to marketing Ireland as a tourist destination). Bord Iascaigh Mhara offers grants and assistance to businesses in the fishing sector. Business Innovation Centres are private companies which can access seed capital and venture funds for SME's and business start-up's. In Galway, Westbic (Western Business Innovation Centre) targets support and development of innovative business projects through business support, advice and assistance with sourcing of finance. City & County Enterprise Boards are the main source of funding for small business's employing less than ten people. Enterprise Ireland supports enterprises which are Irish owned, and which are engaged in manufacturing or internationally traded services. Targets enterprises are those which have a high growth potential and which plan to employ at least 10 people by the first year. FÁS provides training and employment services for industry and business. Also runs community employment services. Galway City Enterprise Board supports enterprise, from all sectors, in Galway City and County through training and grants. Targets small enterprises with typically one to ten employees. IDA Ireland is the state organization with national responsibility for securing new investment from overseas in manufacturing and international services sectors and for encouraging existing foreign enterprises in Ireland to expand their businesses. Under the National Development Plan (2000-2006) they are involved in the distribution of grants and funding for research & development, employment, training and capital grants. Shannon Development similar grants to Enterprise Ireland for the Shannon area. Údaras na Gaeltachta supports businesses which wish to start-up in the Gaeltachta (extensive parts of counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, all of which are on the western seaboard, together with parts of counties Cork, Meath and Waterford). Údarás na Gaeltachta provides an attractive financial package for new and expanding businesses. This includes grants for equipment, building and training. An tÚdarás assists prospective investors through all stages of start-up, from location identification to help with recruitment, training and legal requirements. An tÚdarás also has available a portfolio of modern industrial buildings and sites. Useful links for your business You are looking to expand your business ? You want some information concerning some European legislation ? You need some advice to start your business ? You work in the agriculture or construction area and want to get in touch with professionnal organisations ? Environment, food and drinks industry, fisheries, transport, irish administration, Irish news, tourism, statistic ... This document provide you different links useful for your research, have a look ! download document .doc version or download document .pdf version Throughout the year Chamber Business Information aims to organise seminars and information events to further the business environment in Galway. These are organised in line with current Chamber member & business needs. Please click here to view our upcoming Events. Click here for a list of events >> Library
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| Galway
Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Commerce House, Merchant’s Road,
Galway. Tel: +353 91 563536 Fax: +353 91 561963 Email: info@galwaychamber.com |
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