Ireland targets 25,000 social enterprise jobs

Ireland's social enterprise sector has the potential to create an additional 25,000 jobs by 2020, according to the findings of a new report.
A report by Forfás said the sector currently employs more than 25,000 people in 1,400 social enterprises in Ireland, with a combined total income of about €1.4bn (£910m). But it added there is potential to double employment in the sector over the period to 2020.
But the study said a coherent national policy across government is necessary if the sector is to achieve its potential. This has led to research and innovation minister Seán Sherlock being tasked with developing the sector on a cross-departmental basis.
"The social enterprise sector has played a key role in Irish society and in the economy for many years," said Sherlock.
"Social enterprises offer jobs across a range of skill-sets, and provide services and employment in many local and rural communities.
"That is why as part of the Action Plan for Jobs we have committed to supporting the development of a vibrant social enterprise sector.
"It has huge potential for employment growth and I am particularly pleased to have been asked by the Taoiseach to develop the sector further."
Insider News Ireland

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Arlene Foster hails growth in foreign direct investment

Enterprise minister Arlene Foster has welcomed research showing that the number of Northern Ireland investment projects gaining overseas backing rose by 41 per cent.
Data published by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in its latest paper, entitled UK's 2012/13 Inward Investment Annual Report, indicates that 1,559 investment projects across the UK were secured with foreign direct investment in the last financial year.
To put that into context, it represents an 11 per cent year-on-year increase.  read more>>>

Start Up Loans Coming to Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland start-ups to benefit from Start Up Loans scheme

Loans for Northern Ireland

The first Start Up Loans to young Northern Irish entrepreneurs with good business ideas will be made this summer, it was announced yesterday.

Budding entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30 will have access to the £117 million Start-Up Loans fund. Loans will be made available through delivery partners, with The Prince’s Trust and the School for Start-Ups already confirmed and agreement expected shortly with Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Ulster Community Investment Trust.

Start Up Loans Scheme

Since it started in England in autumn 2012, the Start Up Loans scheme for young entrepreneurs has already committed over £26 million in loans and £4 million in support to help over 5,000 people aged 18 to 30 set up businesses, almost half of whom were previously unemployed.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:“Start-Up Loans have proven to be a great success in England and we want young people in Northern Ireland to also be able to use the scheme to turn their enterprising ideas into live businesses.”

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Carrier Bag Levy First Payment Due

First payment of the Carrier Bag Levy due from 1st July

Northern Ireland retailers are being reminded that the first payment of the Carrier Bag Levy is due from 1st July 2013. The Carrier Bag Levy is a 5p charge for each new single use carrier bag dispensed to customers.

Retailers now need to declare the number of single use carrier bags that they have issued during the last quarter and make the related payment to the Department of the Environment (DOE). The net proceeds for the months April, May & June 2013 are due from 1 July 2013, and payment should be made no later than 28th July 2013.
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Templates Directory

Check out the NIBusinessinfo Directory of Business Templates.  They have a number of templates that you can use for your business to help you save time. They are easy to download and you can save them to your computer or print them off.
Click Here to view a list of the templates you can access from the NIBusinessinfo website.