Today Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D. launched the \u2018Back for Business\u2019 programme and a\u00a0call for applicants for this free initiative to help returned emigrants start and develop businesses in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In its fifth year, the Back for Business developmental programme\u00a0is funded from the Government\u2019s Emigrant Support Programme, and\u00a0<\/strong>was established to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants returning to live in Ireland.<\/p>\n \n The call is open today for applications for the 2022 programme and will run from the end of February to June 2022. Up to 50 people will be offered places with\u00a0no charge for those selected to participate and the closing date for applications is Tuesday, February 15th<\/sup>, 2022<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Launching the call for applicants today, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D.\u00a0 said:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>The Government is committed to supporting our citizens who are coming back\u00a0to\u00a0Ireland. Returning emigrants bring a wealth of experience and ideas and I welcome the contribution they can make to our national prosperity.<\/em><\/p>\n Back for Business has been a great success in supporting new businesses being started by returning emigrants throughout Ireland. Past participants have made significant progress and I am proud of their achievements. Their new businesses\u00a0generate economic activity and additional employment across the country.<\/em><\/p>\n I welcome the establishment of a Back for Business Community which offers additional support to past participants to further develop their new enterprises.<\/em><\/p>\n Back for Business presents a great opportunity for Irish citizens returning to Ireland, who wish to tap into their entrepreneurial potential. I would encourage all those eligible to apply.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \n Participants on last year\u2019s programme more than tripled their combined workforce and more than doubled their turnover during the six-month cycle of the programme \u2013 despite the restrictions placed on businesses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Lead Entrepreneurs, who participate in a voluntary capacity, are the backbone of the Back for Business initiative. This year\u2019s Lead Entrepreneurs are:\u00a0\u00c1ine Denn,<\/strong>\u00a0co-founder and formerly of Altify; Heather Reynolds,\u00a0<\/strong>co-founder and formerly of Eishtec;\u00a0Paul Duggan<\/strong>\u00a0of The Gardiner Group; Seamus Reilly,\u00a0<\/strong>co- founder and formerly of Critical Healthcare; and\u00a0Thomas Ennis,\u00a0<\/strong>founder of the Thomas Ennis Group.<\/p>\n