Support agencies and start-up businesses: the role of Udaras na Gaeltachta

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are the cornerstone of our economy. They provide approximately two thirds of private sector employment and contribute vastly to our exchequer. This study examines the support agencies provided to SMEs in Ireland. Investigation is primarily focused on what is important to fledgling businesses and on the ability of support agencies to meet this expectation. Possible recommendation of improvements that could potentially further enhance the assistance currently provided by support agencies was also suggested. For the purpose of my investigation Udaras Na Gaeltachta was chosen as my research subject. The results based on a face to face interview with a representative from Udaras Na Gaeltachta along with a survey of thirty of their previous clients indicates that Udaras Na Gaeltachta is responsible for providing many benefits to the businesses it assists. The initial expectations associated with the majority of the supports it provides is above seventy percent. This indicates that it has established an excellent reputation in the Gaeltacht community and is capable of providing a high quality service. However the findings also indicate that Udaras Na Gaeltachta is currently underachieving in several support areas, suggesting that to date weaknesses exist within the organisation. Further research should be considered regarding other possible recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the support services provided by Udaras Na Gaeltachta. In addition to this, the following research topics are of interest to the researcher and if carried out would add value to this study, ‘the benefits received by the Gaeltacht community since the establishment of Udaras Na Gaeltachta’, or ‘the factors used by financial Institutes to determine which businesses qualify for funding would add value to this research’.