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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Questions (73)

Brendan Smith

Question:

73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the need for assistance without delay for a sector which is very adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. [17948/20]

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Written answers

The Government has introduced a range of measures 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. 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/

Any eligible business, including the self-employed, can apply for the following supports. The most appropriate support will depend on the characteristics of the business.

MicroFinance Ireland can provide loans of up to €50,000 as an immediate measure to specifically deal with exceptional circumstances that micro-enterprises – (any business -Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company with less than 10 full time employees and annual turnover of up to €2m)- are facing.

Local Enterprise Offices have moved training programmes, workshops and networking meet-ups online, covering areas such as cash management in a crisis, leading your business through COVID-19 and advice for employers impacted by the crisis. Training programmes are free of charge and places can be booked online, through your Local Enterprise Office.

My former colleague, the then Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty announced on 25 June that the Department’s Enterprise Support Grant will be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants.

I am currently reviewing the full range of supports in place to help businesses, together with my Ministerial colleagues, as we prepare the forthcoming Jobs Recovery Plan and I expect an ambitious stimulus package will be announced this week.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government will not be found wanting. Not only must we address the current challenges, but we must also look ahead.

My colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport may be able to provide more specific guidance on supports suitable for the transport sector, including the consumer related measure in the COVID-19 Refund Credit Note which was introduced under consumer related legislation, the package travel and travel trade licensing legislation, for which he has lead responsibility.

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