Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if grant funding will be made to cafés and restaurants wishing to operate takeaway services for signage, screens and other equipment to facilitate social distancing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8185/20]
View answerOn Friday May 15th, 2020 the Government announced details of the new €250m Restart Grant providing direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following COVID-19 closures; with the grant being administered by local authorities from Friday May 22nd, 2020.
The scheme will provide funding to enable small and micro business reconnect with their employees and customer base by helping to defray ongoing fixed costs and the costs associated with re-launching the business.
Eligible businesses who have stayed open throughout the crisis, as well as those who are reopening under Phase 1 (from 18th May) and Phase 2 (8th June) of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, are encouraged to apply first for the Restart Grant. These applications will be prioritised for payment by the local authorities.
To avail of the Restart Grant, applicants must be a commercial business and be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:
1. have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people;
2. have suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020;
3. commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed;
4. declare the intention to retain employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.
Subject to the qualifying criteria outlined above, any business that has a commercially rateable premises including those businesses with outstanding rates bills are eligible to make an application if they meet the criteria. The grant will be the amount of the rates demand in respect of calendar year 2019 only, subject to a minimum of €2,000 and a maximum of €10,000.
Applications for the Restart Grant can be made online directly to local authorities from Friday May 22nd, 2020 and further information can be obtained by contacting the Business Support Unit of the relevant local authority.
