Hiring and training grants for Irish SMEs: check before you commit the spend

If you are planning recruitment, apprenticeships, wage supports and staff upskilling, run a free GrantMatch scan before you sign quotes, pay deposits or lock in a project plan.

Start Free Funding Scan →
Free scan · Human-reviewed paid reports · No grant approval guarantee

Why check this before spending?

Irish SME supports are fragmented across state bodies and often depend on timing, business size, sector, location and project type.

Supports vary by role and person

Some hiring supports depend on the employee, the role, location or unemployment history.

Training can be subsidised

Skillnet and sector-led training supports can reduce the cost of upskilling your team.

Plan before onboarding

The best time to check eligibility is before the hire starts or the training is booked.

Examples of schemes worth checking

These are examples from the GrantMatch database. Your actual matches depend on your business profile and planned spend.

Enterprise Ireland · Grant

Employment Funding Support

Financial support towards salary costs to help companies hire key staff and create new jobs

Typical value
Maximum €15,000 per new employee — minimum 3 new jobs required; supports companies expanding international trade
Deadline
Rolling
Official source →
Enterprise Ireland · Grant

GradStart

Subsidises salary cost of graduate hires (including international graduates) to build company skills base

Typical value
Up to €12,000 per graduate per year (max 2 years)
Deadline
Rolling
Official source →
Enterprise Ireland · Grant

Key Manager Grant

Supports the cost of hiring a key manager (e.g. CFO, Sales Director, CTO) to drive growth

Typical value
Up to €150,000
Deadline
Rolling
Official source →
Skillnet Ireland · Subsidy

Skillnet Ireland Training Subsidies

Part-funded training and upskilling programmes delivered through 70 Skillnet Business Networks covering all industries

Typical value
Typically 30–50% subsidy on training costs; annual training budgets of €1,000–€5,000 subsidised at 30–40%
Deadline
Rolling; programmes vary by network
Official source →
Enterprise Ireland · Grant

Strategic Consultancy Grant — Enterprise Ireland

Subsidises cost of hiring an approved external strategic consultant to help develop and execute a company growth strategy

Typical value
Up to 50% of consulting fees; maximum €35,000
Deadline
Rolling
Official source →
Department of Social Protection · Scheme

JobsPlus Employer Incentive Scheme

Direct monthly cash payments to employers for hiring long-term unemployed or long-term inactive jobseekers; paid over 18 months after the new hire starts work

Typical value
€7,500 over 18 months for jobseekers unemployed 12–24 months; €10,000 over 18 months for jobseekers unemployed 24+ months or aged 50+
Deadline
Rolling — open year-round; co-funded by EU ESF+ to 2027
Official source →

Planning this spend in 2026?

Run the free scan first. If there is a real opportunity, upgrade to a Quick Grant Check or Full Funding Map for ranked next steps.

Start Free Funding Scan →