Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
268. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding available for persons that operate businesses from their own homes further to the introduction of start-up grants for businesses following closure due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10110/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant is just one part of the wider €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. I would encourage businesses that operate from their own homes with employees to continue to make use of the Temporary Wage Scheme as they transition to reopen.
I would also encourage all businesses to contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to determine the most appropriate supports to meet their needs. On 8th June I announced with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Richard Bruton TD, a major expansion of the LEOs' Trading Online Voucher Scheme to help small and micro enterprises to get online quickly.
The LEOs Trading Online Voucher is a scheme, designed to assist small and microenterprises (10 or less employees) by offering financial assistance of up to €2,500 towards training and advice to help businesses trade online. The Trading Online Voucher scheme is administered by the LEOs. The support is available to cover 90% of the costs of an online initiative and recipients can claim up to €5,000 in two vouchers worth €2,500 each. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for businesses. See: localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports
Trading Online Vouchers can be used for:
- development or upgrade of an e-commerce website, such as implementing online payments or booking systems
- purchase of internet related software - online advertising (subject to limits)
- development of an app
- development and/or implementation of a digital marketing strategy
- consultation with ICT experts
- training and support to develop and manage your online trading activity and subscriptions to low cost online retail platform solutions,
Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
