1.1 Participants must adhere to the Terms and Conditions when entering any competitions operated by the Local Enterprise Offices, or any company or website owned or controlled by the Local Enterprise Offices.
1.2 By entering and participating in this competition participants agree to these Terms and Conditions. All entry instructions and any other specific details relating to the competition form part of these Terms and Conditions.
1.3 By entering the competition entrants are acknowledging to the Local Enterprise Offices that they have read and understood the Terms and Conditions and agree to them.
2.1 To enter the competition, participants must submit an online application which meets the eligibility criteria.
2.2 No purchase or payment is necessary to enter this competition.
2.3 It is intended that the successful applicants will be informed prior to year-end 2019. However, the Local Enterprise Offices retain the right to move or alter this should that be necessary.
3.1 The applicant must be an Irish-owned enterprise that has less than 50 employees. An application must be submitted in the name of a company registered with the Companies Registration Office and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application. Applications will also be taken from Sole Traders and Partnerships. The business can operate in any sector subject to the exceptions outlined below.
The Business
All applications will be screened for eligibility for the Scheme. Ineligible applicants will be informed following the deadline for receipt of applications.
The Scheme is not open to the following:
3.2.1 The voucher amount payable is €2,500 under this Scheme. Therefore, applications which do not propose to avail of the full 3 days of consultancy will be considered ineligible.
3.2.2 Projects which do not identify or demonstrate a productivity problem or challenge will be considered ineligible;
3.2.3 Applicants who were approved any other State or EU funding for the project for which they are seeking funding;
3.2.4 Companies active in the primary production of agricultural products, fishery and aquaculture;
3.2.5 Companies active in the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages where consumed on the retail premises;
3.2.6 Applications which include or relate to activities that the Local Enterprise Office considers as ineligible or as involving an unacceptable reputational risk. Ineligible activities include activities relating to: the gambling sector, including ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956), Adult entertainment and Tobacco products;
3.2.7 Companies which have already reached their De Minimis aid limit.
4.1 The winners will be announced from all the entries received.
4.2 The competition winners must use the support received in the pursuit of developing a solution to the problem identified with the supports not transferable to another person or entity.
4.4 The Local Enterprise Offices, affiliates, sponsors and representatives are not responsible for misuse of any investment and/or supports or claims, liability, loss or damage arising out of or in connection with any competition promoted by the Local Enterprise Offices.
4.5 The Local Enterprise Offices retain the right to disqualify any entrant to any competition when it considers the applicant has not met with the eligibility criteria.
4.6 The decision to award a voucher is up to the LEO Evaluation Panel, and their decision is final.
5.1 Fraudulent, unreadable or incorrect entries will not be accepted (at the absolute discretion of the Local Enterprise Offices).
5.2 The decision of the LEO Assessment Panels is final and beyond question in all circumstances. No canvassing in any situation will be allowed.
6.1 Competitors may be required to participate in a photo, video and/or film session, and must acknowledge that the Local Enterprise Offices have the rights to use such publicity photos, videos and/or films in any medium and in any way it sees fit.
6.2 Prospective applicants should note that details of awards made under this Scheme may be publicised. Local Enterprise Offices expect successful applicants to cooperate with any future evaluations of this Scheme and to make case studies available where relevant.
6.3 By entering a competition an applicant will automatically give permission for use of certain personal data and where this situation arises this information will be kept in accordance with our Data Protection Policy.
7.1 The Local Enterprise Offices are not liable in any way for any costs, expenses, damages, liability or injury arising out of or in any way connected with the competition.
7.2 The Local Enterprise Offices accept no legal responsibility for any loss of profit, business, contracts or revenues incurred by the applicant.
8.1 These rules shall be applied and understood in accordance with Irish Law.
8.2 The Local Enterprise Offices or any of its agents have the rights to add or amend to the Terms and Conditions at any time.
9.1 Completed applications must be submitted before the call close date. The Local Enterprise Office will publicise the closing date and time for submission of applications on its website. Late applications will not be considered.
10.1 Applications must be submitted via the on-line form available on www.productivitychallenge.ie website. Applications in any other format will not be accepted. All sections of the application form must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted for processing by the Local Enterprise Offices.
10.2 The Scheme is a competitive offer. Applications for funding will be invited through public calls for submission of projects.
10.3 An applicant will be required to submit a fully completed and signed application form which clearly addresses the project evaluation criteria set out below.
The process for selection of successful applicants is as follows:
1: Evaluation of Applications:
| Evaluation Criteria | Weighting |
| 1.Quality of the proposal and the potential demonstrated in the proposal for the business to address the challenge identified. | 35% |
| 2.Potential to grow the business. | 25% |
| 3.Impact of proposed changes on the competitive position of the company. | 25% |
| 4.The company’s financial track record. | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Explanation of the Criteria for Applicants and Reviewers
| 1. Quality of the proposal and the potential demonstrated in the proposal for the business to address the challenge identified.
Proposal should define the impact the challenge identified has on the company’s potential to achieve sustainable growth The proposal must have the potential to improve existing operations through:
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2. Potential to sustain and grow the business:
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3. Impact of proposed changes on the competitive position of the company:
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4. The company’s financial track record:
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An Evaluation Panel comprising industry and technical implementation experts and representatives of the Department of Business, Employment and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices will review applications against the stated criteria. This panel will independently score applications and rank them in order of merit. The score given by the panel will determine which of the applicants will receive the voucher.
Following formal approval by the Local Enterprise Office, a formal Voucher will be issued to the successful applicant who will be required to pay €250 towards the cost of the consultancy.
The Local Enterprise Office relevant to the successful business will engage a qualified Expert to work with the company to address the challenge identified.