Start Your Own Business courses: what they cover, what they cost and who has to do one

What the course covers

The Local Enterprise Offices describe a typical course as covering:

• starting up and getting started
• identifying and researching your target market
• tax, law and insurance
• financial planning, including pricing and costing
• sources of funding
• promoting your business
• sales and service
• basic bookkeeping
• developing your business plan

The aim is to help you judge whether the idea is viable, and whether to go ahead or take a step back.

Kerry's office says participants finish with a draft business plan. It expects you to attend every workshop, research your idea and take direction from the trainers.

Dublin City's office adds a follow-on business network, and three hours of one-to-one mentoring for people who complete its course.

What it costs and how long it takes

Each office sets its own dates, format and fee. These were the courses open for booking when we checked on 3 October 2026.

Dublin City's office was also taking bookings for a one-day Start Your Own Business bootcamp on Saturday 17 October 2026, in person, for €25.

Galway's office ran its last online course over 8 evenings in May and June 2026. It had not yet announced the next one.

Fees and dates change. Check the training page of the enterprise office in your county before you plan around them.

Who has to do one

For most people the course is optional. For one group it is expected.

That group is people applying for the two-year allowance for people on Jobseeker's Allowance and similar payments. The Department of Social Protection's guidelines tell the Enterprise Officer at your Local Development Company to make sure you have completed a Start Your Own Business course. It should be done at the outset, or by your three-month review at the latest. The officer confirms it when recommending your business.

The guidelines for the allowance for people starting up from Jobseeker's Benefit do not ask for a course.

A course can also count in your favour on a jobseeker's payment. The guidelines for Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) list attending a relevant start your own business course among the steps that show you are genuinely seeking work.

Help with the cost

If you are already approved for one of the two enterprise allowances, the start-up grant that goes with the two enterprise allowances can pay towards short training, including a start your own business course.

On a Back to Work claim the limit for training is €500, and you pay at least 10% yourself. That grant cannot be applied for after a cost has been paid, so ask your adviser before you book.

Local Development Companies provide enterprise training as well. The Department's guidelines list courses in starting your own business, business planning, bookkeeping, sales and marketing, and costing and pricing among their typical supports.

How to book, step by step

1. Find your office on the Local Enterprise Office finder. There are 31 around the country.
2. Open its Training and Events page and look for Start Your Own Business in the course list.
3. Pick a date and format. Some offices run mornings, some evenings and some full days, and many run live on Zoom.
4. Book and pay online. If the course is booked out, look at the next date or email the office to register your interest.
5. If you are on a welfare payment and plan to apply for an enterprise allowance, talk to your Employment Personal Adviser as well. The business must be approved before you start trading.

What you leave with

A draft business plan and notes to work from. Kerry's office says participants come away with a clear set of targets for the business and for the income they need, and a reasonable idea of whether it is feasible.

A draft is not a finished application. For the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, the Department's guidelines ask for a completed business plan, a business cashflow and a one-year financial projection. You can read what a finished plan for an Irish grant or loan looks like.

Dublin City's office says 50% of its course participants went on to start their business, based on research by the LEO Centre of Excellence in 2021.

Common questions

Courses, county by county

• start-up courses in Carlow
• start-up courses in Cavan
• start-up courses in Clare
• start-up courses in Cork
• start-up courses in Donegal
• start-up courses in Dublin
• start-up courses in Galway
• start-up courses in Kerry
• start-up courses in Kildare
• start-up courses in Kilkenny
• start-up courses in Laois
• start-up courses in Leitrim
• start-up courses in Limerick
• start-up courses in Longford
• start-up courses in Louth
• start-up courses in Mayo
• start-up courses in Meath
• start-up courses in Monaghan
• start-up courses in Offaly
• start-up courses in Roscommon
• start-up courses in Sligo
• start-up courses in Tipperary
• start-up courses in Waterford
• start-up courses in Westmeath
• start-up courses in Wexford
• start-up courses in Wicklow

Keep reading

• turning your course draft into the plan the Department reads