Leghorn - Why do you think I should steer clear. Would be very interested to know. Also, you say I should look at other forums. Can you suggest some?, thanks.
EI will smother your fledgling business in red tape. You generally have to spend money, before you can apply to get half back. However, before you get a penny back, you'll probably have to hire an accountant to fill in all the forms. Best to get an accountant that 'knows' what best way to fill in enterprise Ireland forms. This all costs money and time.
If you are buddies with EI people, it will smooth the course, and give you the opportunity to become a grant junkie. You'll end up changing the way your company operates to appease EI people (many of whom have never worked in private enterprise, never mind know what kind of problems and pressures you have. They don't care either). If you decide on the grant junkie route (that was their term BTW) your business will be viable as long as you keep getting grants.
It can take months of paperwork to get anything back, and even if you are approved, it is still a gamble. Our company was approved, we went through all the hoops, but we ran out of time, money and patience with it all.
This was my experience. Other people may have had more positive experiences.
(Since severing our relationship, we haven't looked back!)
other forums - the Ask about business forum on this site,
www.irishbusinesswomen.com linkedin there are also various networking groups