Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
47. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the initiatives his Department is taking to support enterprises with significant reliance on seasonal business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15795/20]
View answerMy Department has developed a range of proposals which I have brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment for consideration. These proposals, along with others from Ministerial colleagues, will be developed and adjusted further for the Government’s consideration of an ambitious stimulus package which will be announced soon.
There are some welcome signs of improvement in business activity and the economy. However, sectors that employ a lot of people, such as tourism and hospitality, arts and entertainment and other services that rely on social interaction, remain in serious difficulty and their recovery prospects are highly uncertain.
The July Stimulus needs to help all firms meet the fixed, non-wage costs incurred during lockdown and in re-opening. Our current Restart Grant is a help, but I recognise it has limitations which are preventing it from having a deeper and wider impact.
In improving access to finance, there is a need to not only guarantee credit but do so in a way which does not add costs to businesses unduly. As well as this, and looking to the long-term, the important area of seed and venture capital needs strengthening.
The Local Enterprise Offices are the ‘First Stop Shop’ for anyone seeking information about supports available for businesses. Located in the 31 Local Authorities Offices nationwide, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.
I would urge seasonal businesses to talk to their Local Enterprise Offices regarding the supports available as they offer advice, training and mentoring which could be extremely beneficial to a business.
The full range of Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant supports will be available to firms to help with strategies to innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness. For seasonal businesses wishing to have an on-line presence, the Local Enterprise Office trading on-line voucher is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees. It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 along with training and advice to help your business trade online. It should however be noted that it is a requirement of the scheme that a business be operational for 6 months to be eligible to apply for this scheme.
