31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to outline the operation of the Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher scheme; the number of vouchers issued and redeemed; the list of institutions who are designated as knowledge providers for the scheme; the point at which an organisation (details supplied) will be added to that list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66838/26]

49. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the factors that would restrict or prevent an organisation from receiving support under the Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher scheme; whether any categories of organisations are excluded from the scheme; the rationale for such exclusions, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66840/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 49 together.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66838/26 and 66840/26 together.

The Enterprise Ireland (EI) Innovation Voucher Programme was launched in March 2007. The aim of the programme is to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in Ireland to establish links with participating publicly funded Knowledge Providers, to access knowledge and expertise to develop innovative solutions to business challenges, and act as a progression pathway towards larger research and development programmes, including Innovation Partnerships and other Enterprise Ireland supports.

The programme was established following recommendations made by the Small Business Forum in its report Small Business is Big Business. It is intended to strengthen collaboration between SMEs and Ireland's public research system, facilitate knowledge transfer and encourage greater innovation activity within SMEs. The original voucher was worth €5,000 and since 2024, the Standard Voucher is worth €10,000 (with up to three Standard vouchers obtainable over a rolling five years) issued typically within four weeks and valid for 18 months. There is also a Co-Funded Voucher: up to €20,000 with 50% company contribution; project agreed with provider before application and valid for 18 months.

Companies seeking to avail of Voucher support apply via Enterprise Ireland's Online Applications System.  First?time applicants must register and create an account online. There is an initial eligibility check to assess:

• Company must be a limited company.

• Must not hold an active voucher.

• Must not exceed 4 vouchers total (one of which must be a co funded voucher).

• Must have received < €300,000 in EI funding in previous 5 years.

• Must meet De Minimis State Aid rules: < €300,000 in last 3 years.

There is then an evaluation of the proposed project to assess:

• Proposed activity must require an innovative solution.

• Must show additional value and ongoing benefits to the company.

• Proposal assessed against list of eligible vs. ineligible activities.

Once approved, an Innovation Voucher may be used by the company with any approved publicly funded Knowledge Provider. Following completion of the project, the company pays the associated VAT, which is not covered by the voucher. The Knowledge Provider then submits the voucher and supporting documentation to Enterprise Ireland for redemption, with payment made once the claim has been verified and all requirements have been met.

Organisations that are ineligible to receive support under the EI Innovation Voucher scheme are Small and Medium-sized Enterprises that are:

• agricultural primary production companies;

• charitable organisations;

• not-for-profit organisations;

• trade associations;

• holding companies;

• Chambers of Commerce;

• sports clubs and sports associations; and

• other non-commercial entities.

These organisations fall outside the scope of the programme, which is focused on supporting commercially oriented SMEs to access research expertise and pursue innovation with the potential to contribute to enterprise development.

From the launch of the programme to the end of 2025, just under 14,000 Innovation Vouchers were approved and just under 9,000 redeemed.

To focus on recent trends in the last 5 years, the Table below summarises the total approved and redeemed vouchers, each year from January 2022 – September 2026.

* The Standard Innovation Voucher was increased from €5,000 to €10,000 in July 2024

**2026 figures are to September 2026.

It should also be noted that vouchers may not be redeemed in the same year in which they are approved, as projects require time to be agreed, scoped, initiated and completed before the voucher can be redeemed.

The Knowledge Providers participating in the programme in the Republic of Ireland are:

• Atlantic Technological University

• Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

• Dublin City University

• Dundalk Institute of Technology

• Irish Manufacturing Research

• Institute of Art, Design and Technology

• Maynooth University

• Munster Technological University

• National College of Art and Design

• National College of Ireland

• University of Galway

• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

• South East Technological University

• Teagasc

• Technological University Dublin

• Technological University of the Shannon

• Trinity College Dublin

• University College Cork

• University College Dublin

• University of Limerick

The Knowledge Providers participating in the programme in Northern Ireland are:

• Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

• Belfast Metropolitan College

• College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise

• C-TRIC

• Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre

• North West Regional College

• Northern Regional College

• Open University

• Queen's University Belfast

• South Eastern Regional College

• South West College

• Southern Health and Social Care Trust

• Southern Regional College

• Ulster University

With regard to the organisation referenced by the Deputy, the designation of an additional organisation as a Knowledge Provider under the Innovation Voucher Programme is a matter for Enterprise Ireland to consider on its merits.

Enterprise Ireland keeps the operation of the Innovation Voucher Programme under review to ensure that it continues to support effective collaboration between SMEs and Ireland's research and innovation system.