The recession may still be biting but the Inishowen community showed that it is fighting back. 
The local business community was out in force to attend the first ever Inishowen Development Partnership’s Business Awards Ceremony last Thursday in Buncrana.
The event, organised by the Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), was held to celebrate the success of local entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been supported in their start up by IDP and to showcase the talent and entrepreneurial skills within the Peninsula.
Three new local businesses – Hugh Doherty, Iconic Flowers Ltd, Eilish Grant, Grant Apparel (Clubman) Ltd and Jonathan Doherty & Christopher Lynch, (EHP) Efficient Heating & Plumbing Company Ltd all won awards on the night and now go forward to represent Inishowen at the Local Development Companies Regional Finals in Cavan.
The businesses, with support from the IDP, the Department of Social Protection, and Solas, successfully managed their transition from unemployment to employment and learned key skills and life lessons on the journey so far.
Even better, they have also created job opportunities in an area with limited work possibilities at this time.
Speaking at the event, Rosemary Lyons, IDP Enterprise Officer, said that “It must be the worst thing to look back on life and say ‘I would have, I could have, or I should have.
“Particularly when there are Agencies out there, like the Inishowen Development Partnership who want to, and can help those taking the journey to self-employment and business start-up.
“We want to acknowledge the quality of life benefits that self- employment opportunities bring, to both individuals and the local community.
The inaugural Business Awards were organised to recognise IDPs entrepreneurial clients, making every effortto start a new business in difficult times.
IDP Manager Shauna McClenaghan explained that the event aimed to “highlight the resulting job creation from these businesses, both full and part-time and other indirect employment opportunities.
“We wanted to showcase and celebrate the amazing talent and entrepreneurship which exists in the Inishowen Peninsula.
The IDP offers a range of practical supports and for some the best option may be, access the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
Which currently allows those taking the self-employment option, the opportunity to retain their social welfare payment for a period between 9 months and 2 years, on a reducing basis, while setting up in business.
For others it may be knowledge of the Revenue “Start your Own Business Tax Relief initiative”.
This scheme provides an exemption from Income Tax up to a maximum of €40,000 per annum, for a period of two years, to individuals setting up a qualifying business; having been unemployed for a period of at least 12 months prior to starting the business.
While this was a positive Event for Inishowen, the one cloud hanging over the Event was the future of the Local Development Company itself.
Given the uncertainty around the delivery mechanism of the new Local Development programmes, Rosemary Lyons, pointed out that the Enterprise Officers role combines developmental, vocational and business mentoring roles and stressed the importance of ensuring that this service continues locally and that the benefits to families and individuals is not underestimated.
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