Written Answers Nos. 88-112
88. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the credit guarantee scheme announced in the July stimulus package; and if some practical scenarios in which it is envisaged it could be availed of and has been availed of will be provided. [19807/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme will facilitate lending up to €2 billion to SMEs, primary producers and small mid-caps (i.e. companies under 500 employees).
This credit is urgently needed by enterprises seeking to react to the changed economic landscape and the need to restock and change business practices in response. It will ensure that SMEs, primary producers and small Mid-Caps can access liquidity to keep their businesses operating, as our economy continues to re-open and more and more people get back to work. The legislation to implement the Scheme recently passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Scheme is being developed under the provisions of the European Commission’s “Temporary Framework for State aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak”. This allows for such schemes to support the needs of enterprises responding to the economic shock caused by the COVID-19 health crisis. The temporary framework allows for the relaxation of certain State aid measures for a limited time to enable EU Member States to support enterprises in their country. The temporary framework is due to expire on 31st December 2020.
The main features of the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme are:
- This is a scheme for SMEs, Primary Producers and small Mid-Caps.
- In order to qualify for the Scheme, the borrower will have to declare an adverse impact of minimum 15% of actual or projected turnover or profit due to the impact of COVID-19.
- The amount available under the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is €2 billion.
- A guarantee rate of 80% for the State with the lenders retaining 20% of the risk of the loan.
- There will be no portfolio cap for individual lenders. A portfolio cap has been a feature of previous Credit Guarantee Schemes. However, the removal of the cap for the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is essential in order to ensure lenders provide an interest rate reduction to borrowers.
- The current standard facility size of €10k to €1 million under the current Acts will remain for the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.
- The COVID-19 CGS will be operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and will initially be available through three banks; AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank.
- Finance providers have indicated they will initially provide term loan facilities under the Scheme.
- The new COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme has been prepared in order to comply with the terms of the European Commission’s Temporary State Aid Framework. In particular:
- Primary agricultural, fisheries and aquaculture producers may be included.
- A guarantee premium on each loan under the Scheme is required by the European Commission to be paid in addition to interest rate costs.
- The scheme will be timebound and will be available initially until 31 December 2020.
- The rollover of loans will be facilitated but no loan included in the Scheme can extend beyond 6 years or 31 December 2026, whichever occurs first.
- The size of the loan is linked to business turnover (25% of 2019 turnover) or wage costs (double annual wage bill in 2019). The borrower and lender must demonstrate that the loan is compliant with this.
Loans will be made available for liquidity and investment purposes. It is expected that loans will be sought for purposes of working capital and re-fitting of premises to ensure compliance with COVID-19 restriction requirements. Lending will be available, as an example, for small business to use for the purposes of restocking their supplies, purchasing services or upgrading equipment.
89. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the package of liquidity and enterprise investment measures worth €55 million which will be put in place to support small and micro companies through additional resources for Microfinance Ireland and LEOs as announced in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19814/20]
View answerThis Government is providing a range of liquidity assistance to businesses, through guarantees to the banks for their on-lending and through MFI to assist microenterprises. MFI lending was paused on 6th July, as their funding position had become constrained. The Microenterprise Loan Fund Amendment Act 2020, which was signed by the President on 10th July, will allow MFI to immediately resume lending with this additional grant funding of up to €30 million.
Many businesses need assistance with restructuring their finances and will need greater access to term loans from their banks. A key issue for many businesses availing of the loan schemes is the first year of interest payments. Recognising this issue, there will be support for businesses in this regard.
This July Stimulus allocation will expand the MFI COVID-19 Loan Fund by an additional €30m. MFI is currently funded to provide 0% interest on loans for 6 months.
There is currently €66.5 million provided for the LEOs (this includes the €33 million provided for in the Revised REV 2020 estimates). I am providing an additional €10m to the LEOs in the July Stimulus bringing the capital allocation to the LEOs to €76.5million or a 130% increase on the allocation at the start of the year. The additional potential LEO beneficiaries could be in the order of 17,000 microenterprises across the LEO remit and including mentoring, training, grants and MFI throughputs.
As microenterprises move into the recovery phase and as the LEOs deal with the remaining applications on hands in respect of the trading on-line vouchers and business continuity vouchers, there will be a growing demand for more of the traditional core offerings from the LEOs, such as business expansion grants and measures to increase productivity and continuous development of on-line presence. No decision has been made on the allocation of funds to any individual LEO, but it will be used primarily for a combination of existing grant and soft support programmes and to address specific business needs for LEO core clients.
In addition, LEOs will begin rolling out the additional €20m in Trading Online Voucher assistance for micro enterprises using funding from the Department of Communications as part of the July Stimulus, helping up to an additional 8,000 businesses.
Full details on all COVID19 measures for business are available at:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
90. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to assist those over 66 years of age that have businesses but due to age restriction were unable to claim the pandemic unemployment payment; the way in which they will be compensated in view of financial commitments they may have in view of the July stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19916/20]
View answerOn 23 July the Government announced the July Stimulus Package, a substantial financial package to stimulate our economy worth more than €5 billion, with an additional €2 billion in loan guarantees. It is bigger in scale than most budgets and will be deployed at speed.
The July Stimulus package is designed to help businesses to open, to help those that are already open to stay open, to get staff back to work and for those who cannot go back to their old jobs, there are new opportunities. These new measures are in addition to those already announced since the onset of the Global Pandemic including the Temporary Wage Subsidy and low cost loans.
As part of the July Stimulus we have extended the wage subsidy scheme, which will run until the end of March 2021. It will be open to firms that do not currently participate and will be open to workers like seasonal workers, who were not previously included. We are also giving companies extra assistance to reopen and stay open through an enhanced Restart grant which is available to more firms and is more generous. We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. Businesses affected by COVID-19 will able to delay payment of their PAYE and VAT debts in part of in full for a set period with no interest or penalties. We are also granting all businesses, with limited exceptions, a waiver of commercial rates for the six months to end of September.
Further information on these, along with the full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus. Up to date details of the range of financial aids offered by agencies and bodies on behalf of my Department is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Take-up-of-DBEI-COVID-19-Business-Supports.html.
If businesses require further assistance, they should contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for guidance and financial help for business owners. They provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State assistance available to business through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. They also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.
The LEOs provide direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector, subject to eligibility criteria. The LEO service offerings are available to applicants providing they can comply with the eligibility requirements which make no reference to age.
In addition, the full range of Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant and advisory supports continue to be available to eligible firms to help with strategies to access finance, commence or ramp-up online trading activity, reconfigure business models, cut costs, innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness.
91. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 that have been received from businesses in County Clare; the number of these that have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the amount allocated to these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20904/20]
View answerThe Government previously introduced a 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 among SMEs. Full details on all COVID-19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
On July 23rd the Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/July/23072020.html
The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Clare under the various schemes.
Tables of uptake:
|
Scheme |
Number of firms / applications |
Number Processed to date |
Number of successful applicants |
Amount allocated |
Amount Requested |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund - HPSU |
<5 |
N/A |
<5 |
€50,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
21 |
N/A |
21 approvals |
€102,580 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
7 |
N/A |
6 approvals |
€15,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
10 |
N/A |
7 approvals |
€233,011 |
N/A |
|
Restart Grant |
1239 |
1161 |
998 |
€5,638,513 |
€3,853,400 |
|
Business Continuity Grant |
1 |
1 |
1 |
€2,500 |
€2,500 |
|
SBCI COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
70 |
12 |
€1,892,000 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan |
27 |
N/A |
13 |
€396,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
4 |
4 |
4 |
€11,200 |
€11,200 |
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
2 |
2 |
2 |
€4,500 |
€4,500 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers |
397 |
397 |
348 |
€677,592 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers |
302 |
135* |
167** |
€417,500 |
|
*Applications currently being processed with clients
**Processed and final approval communicated to clients
The Local Enterprise Office in Clare submitted 12 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 246 participants and Training Support to 1,272 participants.
Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.
92. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he, his Ministers of State and-or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if he will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19630/20]
View answerAs set out in my Department's internal ICT Usage Policy, Ministers and staff in my Department are provided with email accounts for official use. It is the practice that communication of Departmental issues be conducted through Departmental email accounts and not through private email.
93. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the meetings he and his Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date in tabular form (details supplied). [19647/20]
View answerThe details of the meetings excluding Government and Cabinet Committee Meetings held by myself and the Ministers of State in my Department since the formation of the Government are outlined in the following table.
94. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of his advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19664/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
95. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the names and salaries of his special advisers; the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
With regard to the salaries paid to Ministers and Ministers of State, these are publicly available at https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/salaries-and-allowances/salaries/ . For the Deputy's information, the Ministers of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation are each paid a Ministerial allowance to the value of € 38,787. These allowances are paid by my Department, in addition to the basic salary for TDs, which is paid for by the Houses of the Oireachtas, from the date of the election, subject to the TD signing the Roll of Members of Dáil Éireann within 30 days of the election. My salary is not currently paid by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
96. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in the Kildare County Council area; the funding allocated to the authority; the number of businesses in north County Kildare that received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
Kildare County Council has to date received the sum of €6,678,602 in an initial funding tranche from this Department.
As of 24 July 2020, Kildare County Council has received a total of 1284 applications from bus,inesses seeking Restart Grant funding.
Of this amount, 1046 businesses have been approved and have received funding.
In response to the Deputy’s specific question in relation to the number of businesses in North County Kildare that have received funding, the Council is not in a position to respond to this query with this level of information as it has not been instructed to do so in the Service Level Agreement as agreed with my Department.
97. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 received from businesses in north County Kildare; the number of these that have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the funding allocated to these businesses; the amount that was sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/20]
View answerThe Government previously introduced a 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 among SMEs. Full details on all COVID-19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
On July 23rd the Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/July/23072020.html
The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Kildare under the various schemes.
Tables of uptake:
|
Scheme |
Number of firms / applications |
Number Processed to date |
Number of successful applicants |
Amount allocated |
Amount Requested |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund - Small Enterprise |
1 application received |
N/A |
1 approval |
€50,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
11 applications received |
N/A |
11 approvals |
€53,598 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
6 applications received |
N/A |
6 approvals |
€15,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
8 applications received |
N/A |
1 approval |
€16,188 |
N/A |
|
Restart Grant - Kildare County Council |
1284 |
960 |
1046 |
€6,678,602 |
€4,800,750 |
|
SBCI - COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
127 |
23 |
€ 3,140,963 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan |
55 |
Figure not available |
36 |
€955,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
7 |
7 |
6 |
€16,800 |
€16,800 |
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
6 |
6 |
6 |
€11,250 |
€11,250 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers |
724 |
700 |
560 |
€1,400,000 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers |
276 |
67* |
209** |
€486,318 |
|
*Applications/clients currently being processed
**Processed and final approval communicated to clients
The Local Enterprise Office in Kildare submitted 15 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 456 participants and Training Support to 1,898 participants.
Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.
98. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the funding streams available for newly established businesses specifically to help with advertising. [19795/20]
View answerMy Department through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) provides assistance for new start-ups and existing business through a wide range of initiatives and programmes.
For Start- ups or expanding businesses, the 31 LEOs, located in the Local Authorities nationwide may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training or provide a mentor to work with the business proposer including courses such as:
The Start Your Own Business programme guides clients through the various aspects of business and business planning. The objective is to assist clients in assessing their idea, its viability and to decide if they should proceed or take a step back.
The Mentor Programme is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance.
Companies may also avail of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme which is administered by the LEOs on behalf of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE). An initiative under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, eligible businesses can apply for a voucher of up to €2,500 matched by own funding which has been reduced from 50% to 10%. The Scheme helps small businesses trade more online to boost their sales and reach new markets. Funding can be used towards eligible costs such as digital marketing strategies, e-commerce websites or app development. Businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to any microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities in the form of:
- Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea)
- Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up)
- Business Development grants for existing businesses that want to expand.
Full detail on LEO programmes are available on the Local Enterprise Office website at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/ .
Enterprise Ireland provides assistance to start-up companies with business planning, mentoring and development advice. The agency also provides feasibility funding and finance, often in the form of equity investment, as appropriate to the founder’s ambitions and the company’s potential and stage of growth.
- Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Development Programme, the national entrepreneur development programme for early-stage start-ups, is ran in partnership with 14 Institutes of Technology throughout the country. In 2019, Enterprise Ireland supported 161 entrepreneurs across the country on this programme.
- On 7th July 2020, Enterprise Ireland launched two Competitive Start Fund (CSF) competitions – the ‘All Sectors’ competition and a ‘Women Entrepreneurs’ Competition. Each of the two €1,000,000 funds will provide up to €50,000 in equity funding to successful projects. Both funds will close to applications on Tuesday, 18th August 2020.
- Enterprise Ireland actively works with High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs), companies with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale in international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 to 4 years of starting up. In 2019 Enterprise Ireland supported 90 HPSUs within the Class of 2019 with equity investment.
- Enterprise Ireland launched a COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme in April to assist retailers to enhance their online capability and to develop a more competitive online offer. On 2nd July 2020, 183 retailers have been approved for €6.5m in funding as part of the scheme. The value of the scheme, which received 373 applications, was increased from €2m to €6.5m due to the high level of demand among retailers and the high quality of the proposals received. As announced in the July Stimulus a second call for the Online Retail Scheme will be announced by my Department in the coming weeks. Should a company wish to apply in a future call, I would recommend they take part in the information webinars which are held by Enterprise Ireland to inform applicants of what to cover in their application.
99. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the instances in which the State would cease to trade with another country and-or state such as human rights violations; and the details of instances in which the State has a trade at any cost position. [19797/20]
View answerMy Department pursues free trade and open market policies. However, these policies are subordinate to Ireland's responsibility to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, to promote Regional Stability and to promote and protect Human Rights.
Advancing human rights has always been and will continue to be a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Ireland actively adheres to core international and European human rights treaties and strongly supports the strengthening of the regional and multilateral human rights framework.
The National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017-20, prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, promotes responsible business practices at home and overseas by all Irish business enterprises in line with Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights globally.
To give practical effect to these commitments, my Department implements European Union and national Export Controls in respect of goods on the EU list of Dual-use Items and the EU Common Military List.
My Department assesses all applications for Export Licences, on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the relevant EU legislation, principally Council Regulation 428/2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items and also Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment.
The Common Council Position sets out eight criteria against which applications for exports licences must be assessed. My Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to these criteria for all sensitive applications. Criterion Two explicitly addresses violations of Human Rights in the destination State:
"Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law".
The assessment of licence applications also take into consideration relevant Conclusions of the Council of the European Union and Declarations by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In addition to the EU legal basis for restricting trade to protect Human Rights, national legislation also provides for the restriction of exports for Human Rights considerations, in Statutory Instrument No. 443 of 2009 Control of Exports (Dual-use items) Order 2009.
My Department also implements the trade elements of EU Sanctions, formally known as Restrictive Measures. Restrictive Measures are instruments for promoting EU values and objectives and to bring about changes in undesirable policies or activities such as violations of Human Rights or International Humanitarian Law or practices that do not respect the rule of law or democratic principles. These Restrictive Measures can and do prohibit the export to certain States of items that could be used for internal repression.
It is my intention to review the national legal framework for export controls as a matter of priority and to bring forward new legislative proposals to update and further strengthen the Control of Exports Act 2008. This new legislation will seek to ensure that Ireland has a comprehensive and effective enforcement capability and underscore our commitment to supporting Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
100. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the July stimulus package has no grant or support schemes for affected self-employed and-or sole traders in view of the fact that other European countries have delivered grants for same. [19802/20]
View answerThe July Stimulus package saw the announcement of an additional €7 billion of supports on top of the €12 billion already committed. These supports are wide ranging and it is inaccurate to say that no grant or support schemes are available for self-employed individuals or sole traders.
Businesses trading as either sole traders or operated by self-employed persons can access many of the liquidity supports offered across Government including Micro Finance Ireland loans, the Credit Guarantee Scheme and a variety of mentoring and other soft supports available through the Local Enterprise Offices.
Additionally, in terms of direct grants to the business, the Restart Grant is available for those self-employed persons or sole traders who trade from rateable premises and the Enterprise Support Grant administered by the Department of Employment and Social Protection may be available to those who do not trade from rateable premises.
Many businesses operated by self-employed individuals and sole traders employ people and these businesses can avail of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and its successor the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which provides a direct grant to the business which will help support the employment costs incurred by the business. These are vital supports which will assist the business continue to trade through these challenging times.
If the Deputy is referring to direct income supports, it should be noted that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to those self-employed individuals whose businesses were forced to close as a result of the pandemic.
Businesses operating under these structures are also entitled to tax deferrals which can have the effect of injecting substantial liquidity into these businesses. Importantly, the July Stimulus also saw my colleague the Minister for Finance announce additional personal taxation measures which will enable self-employed persons who have suffered losses in 2020 due to COVID-19 to obtain early recognition of those losses, thereby providing additional liquidity for those individuals.
101. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the value of grants issued under the restart grant scheme by each local authority and or LEO in tabular form. [19805/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant Scheme is administered by the 31 Local Authorities on behalf of my Department.
I have set out in the table below the value of Restart Grant funding paid by each Local Authority as of 24 July 2020.
|
Local Authority |
VALUE APPLICATIONS PAID € |
|
Carlow |
€1,412,542 |
|
Cavan |
€1,667,233 |
|
Clare |
€3,441,338 |
|
Cork City |
€6,642,720 |
|
Cork County |
€7,040,646 |
|
Donegal |
€4,207,728 |
|
Dublin City |
€19,046,902 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€2,979,393 |
|
Fingal |
€6,224,024 |
|
Galway City |
€4,982,408 |
|
Galway County |
€3,889,816 |
|
Kerry |
€5,508,433 |
|
Kildare |
€4,474,374 |
|
Kilkenny |
€2,771,667 |
|
Laois |
€1,349,531 |
|
Leitrim |
€940,437 |
|
Limerick |
€6,142,846 |
|
Longford |
€1,372,250 |
|
Louth |
€3,730,942 |
|
Mayo |
€4,769,676 |
|
Meath |
€4,626,980 |
|
Monaghan |
€2,312,179 |
|
Offaly |
€1,561,333 |
|
Roscommon |
€1,600,526 |
|
Sligo |
€2,026,327 |
|
South Dublin |
€5,882,226 |
|
Tipperary |
€4,631,972 |
|
Waterford |
€3,614,793 |
|
Westmeath |
€2,761,600 |
|
Wexford |
€5,573,396 |
|
Wicklow |
€3,491,615 |
|
GRAND TOTALS |
€130,677,853 |
102. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when the enhanced measures in respect of the business restart grant will be available for application through the local authorities. [19811/20]
View answerOn 23rd July 2020 I announced that in order to further support enterprises as the economy reopens and resumes activity, further grant funding of €300m will be provided to businesses through an enhanced Restart Grant as part of the July Stimulus.
The maximum grant available will rise to €25,000 (up from €10,000) and the minimum payment will be €4,000 (up from €2,000). Firms that accessed the Restart Grant will be eligible to apply for a second top-up payment to a total combined value of the revised minimum and maximum grant levels.
The criteria for accessing the scheme will include Enterprises that have:
- 250 employees or less;
- Turnover of less than €100,000 per employee; and
- Reduced turnover by 25% as a result of COVID-19
Under the revised Restart Grant, support will also be provided for enterprises that could not access the original grant scheme. Non-rated B&Bs and rateable sports businesses will be eligible for a grant payment of €4,000.
Applications for the enhanced grant will open in due course through the Local Authorities and I will announce further details in the coming days.
103. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in Fingal County Council; the funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number of businesses in Dublin 7 and 15 that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19845/20]
View answerDublin City Council, the relevant local authority in respect of businesses located in Dublin 7, has to date received the sum of €26,681,619 in an initial funding tranche from this Department.
As of 24 July 2020, Dublin City Council has received a total number of 5496 applications from businesses seeking Restart Grant funding. Of this amount, 3824 have successfully been approved for payment.
In terms of businesses located in Dublin 15, Fingal County Council has to date received a total of 1799 applications for Restart Grant funding. Of this amount 1,333 applicants have been successfully approved for funding from the initial tranche of €8,043,964 allocated to the Council on initiation of the Scheme.
In response to the Deputy’s specific queries in relation to the amounts sought and amounts allocated to businesses in Dublin 7 and Dublin 15 respectively, it is not possible to provide this information in isolation from the total amounts as outlined above. This information has not been collected and collated by Local Authorities as they have not been instructed to do so in the Service Level Agreement agreed in relation to their administering of the Scheme on behalf of my Department.
104. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 that have been received from businesses in Dublin 7 and 15; the number of these that have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the number that have been allocated to these businesses; the amount that was sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19847/20]
View answerThe Government previously introduced a 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 among SMEs. Full details on all COVID-19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
On July 23rd the Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/July/23072020.html
The table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses under the various schemes for the County of Dublin including the Dublin 7 and Dublin 15 areas, unless otherwise specified.
Tables of uptake:
|
Scheme |
Number of applications received from companies |
Number Processed to date |
Number of approvals to companies |
Value of approvals to companies |
Total Value sought |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund |
27 |
N/A |
10 |
€3,950,000 |
N/A |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund - Small Enterprise |
<5 |
N/A |
2 |
€100,000 |
N/A |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund - HPSU |
28 |
N/A |
16 |
€800,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
263 |
N/A |
245 |
€1,206,718 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
76 |
N/A |
70 |
€177,500 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
118 |
N/A |
55 |
€1,989,834 |
N/A |
|
SBCI - COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
1,138 |
265 |
€ 33,771,000 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan |
278 |
Not available |
168 |
€4,602,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
35 |
27 |
13 |
€36,400 |
€36,400 |
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
14 |
14 |
8 |
€18,000 |
€18,000 |
|
Business Continuity Grant |
16 |
16 |
16 |
€2,500* |
€41,100 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers – Dublin City |
1,269 |
1,172 |
748 |
€1,870,000 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers – Dublin City |
722 |
334** |
388*** |
€825,499 |
|
|
Business Continuity Vouchers – Fingal |
619 |
619 |
472 |
€1,180,000 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers – Fingal |
443 |
81** |
362*** |
€860,844 |
|
|
Restart Grant- Dublin City Council – Dublin 7 |
5496 |
5460 |
3824 |
€26,681,619 |
€20,420,428 |
|
Restart Grant- Fingal County Council – Dublin 15 |
1799 |
1569 |
1333 |
€8,043,964 |
€7,650,200 |
*One IDA client company was allocated a grant of €3,600
**Applications currently being processed with clients
***Processed and final approval communicated to clients
Please note EI do not breakdown applications/approvals into boroughs or areas. A breakdown is provided by county.
MFI applications per LEO are as follows:
|
LEO Dublin City |
27 |
|
LEO Fingal |
31 |
LEOs also provided Covid related mentoring and training as per detail below:
|
LEO |
Mentoring Participants |
Training Participants |
|
Dublin City |
1,419 |
1,185 |
|
Fingal |
496 |
3,443 |
Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan, to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.
105. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in county Wicklow; the amount of funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number of businesses in County Wicklow that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19895/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
Wicklow County Council has to date received the sum of €4,973,539 in an initial funding tranche from this Department.
As of 24 July 2020, Wicklow County Council has received a total of 1,187 applications from businesses seeking Restart Grant funding.
Of this amount, 918 businesses have been approved and have received funding, with a further 27 businesses approved and awaiting payment.
106. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 that have been received from businesses in County Wicklow; the number of these have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the number that have been allocated to these businesses; the amount that was sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/20]
View answerThe Government previously introduced a 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 among SMEs. Full details on all COVID-19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
On July 23rd the Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/July/23072020.html
The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Wicklow under the various schemes.
Tables of uptake:
|
Scheme |
Number of firms / applications |
Number Processed to date |
Number of successful applicants |
Amount allocated |
Amount Requested |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
14 applications received |
N/A |
14 approvals |
€69,245 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
9 applications received |
N/A |
9 approvals |
€22,500 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
11 applications received |
N/A |
7 approvals |
€241,462 |
N/A |
|
Restart Grant |
1187 |
1067 |
945 |
€4,973,539 |
€4,036,391 |
|
SBCI - COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
81 |
19 |
€ 1,435,000 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan |
27 |
Not available |
18 |
€456,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
2 |
2 |
1 |
€2,800 |
€2,800 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers |
298 |
291 |
256 |
€377,850 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers |
251 |
74* |
177** |
€417,000 |
|
*Applications/clients currently being processed
**Processed and final approval communicated to clients
The Local Enterprise Office in Wicklow submitted 11 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 107 participants and Training Support to 820 participants.
Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.
107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the additional funding, not already committed, allocated in the July stimulus to each local enterprise office; the specific purpose of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20054/20]
View answerThe July Stimulus package which was announced by the Government last week allocated an additional €450m to my Department. The details of which are as follows:
- €300m ReStart Grant
- €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme
- €55m for Micro and Small Business Loan and Grant assistance through MicroFinance Ireland (MFI) and LEOs
- €10m for the €500m Future Growth Loan Scheme
- €10m for Enterprise Ireland Seed and Venture Capital
- €20m for Brexit Business Preparedness
- Future Jobs related investments of €25m in Lifesciences and combating COVID-19
- €10m for Carbon Reduction
- €4.0m towards a new €5.5m Online Retail Scheme
- Additional €10m marketing budget for IDA Ireland
This Government is providing a range of liquidity assistance to businesses, through guarantees to the banks for their on-lending and through MFI to assist microenterprises. MFI lending was paused on 6th July, as their funding position had become constrained. The Microenterprise Loan Fund Amendment Act 2020, which was signed by the President on 10th July, will allow MFI to immediately resume lending with this additional grant funding of up to €30 million.
There is currently €66.5 million provided for the LEOs, which includes the €33 million provided for in the Revised REV 2020 estimates. An additional €10m is being provided to the LEOs in the July Stimulus bringing the capital allocation to the LEOs to €76.5million or a 130% increase on the figure at the start of the year. It is estimated that additional potential LEO beneficiaries could be in the order of 17,000 microenterprises across the LEO remit and including mentoring, training, grants and MFI throughputs. A further €20m is being provided by the Minister for Communications as part of the July Stimulus to the LEOs for the expansion of the Trading OnLine Voucher Scheme.
As microenterprises move into the recovery phase and as the LEOs deal with the remaining applications on hand in respect of the trading on-line vouchers and business continuity vouchers, there will be a growing demand for more of the traditional core offerings from the LEOs, such as business expansion grants and measures to increase productivity and continuous development of on-line presence. No decision has been made on the allocation of funds to any individual LEO, but it will be used primarily for a combination of existing grant and soft support programmes and to address specific business needs for LEO core clients.
In addition, LEOs will begin rolling out the additional €20m in Trading Online Voucher assistance for micro enterprises using funding from the Department of Communications as part of the July Stimulus, helping up to an additional 8,000 businesses.
Full details on all COVID19 measures for business are available at:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
108. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the alternative employment that has been secured for workers of a company (details supplied); the measures he has taken to secure alternative employment; and the degree of success in relation to the matter to date. [20119/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to re-building a strong economy that provides stability for workers and helps those who have lost their jobs to secure alternative employment. I extend my sympathies to the workers in Debenhams who have lost their jobs. I appreciate how difficult the situation is for those involved and their families.
My Department, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Education and Skills activated its Job Loss Protocol in response to the announcement of the closure of Debenhams in April. This Protocol leverages the strong working relationships between our departments and their agencies to ensure a decisive, collaborative and comprehensive governmental response to job losses.
Through this Protocol, every effort is being made to assist the workers that have lost their jobs. This coordinated approach ensures that former Debenhams employees are supported through welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and upskilling opportunities. This approach draws upon the strengths of the national skills architecture based on labour market intelligence and initiatives aimed at future proofing Ireland’s workforce.
Last week I, together with the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation and the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, met with Debenhams employees and their union, Mandate, to hear their views and concerns about the liquidation of Debenhams Ireland. At this meeting Mandate acknowledged that the Government’s Job Loss Protocol, as it had been applied for Debenham’s workers, had worked very well. Mandate noted the need for such an approach and indicated that the use of the Protocol was appreciated.
109. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in each local authority in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the funding allocated to each authority in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of businesses that received funding under the fund in each local authority in the counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
Cavan County Council has to date received the sum of €3,251,425 in an initial funding tranche from this Department. A total sum of €2,381,724 has been sought across all applications made to the Scheme to date.
As of 24 July 2020, Cavan County Council has received a total number of 826 applications from businesses seeking Restart Grant funding. Of this amount, 513 have successfully been approved for payment.
Monaghan County Council has to date received a total of 777 applications for Restart Grant funding. Of this amount 703 applicants have been successfully approved for funding from the initial tranche of €3,251,425 allocated to the Council on initiation of the Scheme. A total sum of €2,429,384 has been sought across all applications made to the Scheme to date.
110. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 received from businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number processed to date; the number that have been successful; the amount allocated to these businesses; the amount sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20193/20]
View answerThe Government previously introduced a 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 among SMEs. Full details on all COVID-19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
On July 23rd the Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/July/23072020.html
The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Cavan/Monaghan under the various schemes.
Tables of uptake Cavan:
|
Scheme |
Number of firms / applications |
Number Processed to date |
Number of successful applicants |
Amount allocated |
Amount Requested |
|
Sustaining Enterprise Fund Large |
1 |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
10 |
N/A |
10 |
€49,775 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
8 |
N/A |
8 |
€20,000 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
3 |
N/A |
3 |
€104,661 |
N/A |
|
Restart Grant |
826 |
578 |
513 |
€3,251,425 |
€2,381,724 |
|
SBCI - COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
33 |
5 |
€ 450,000 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID -19 Loan |
16 |
Not available |
11 |
€285,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
6 |
6 |
4 |
€11,200 |
€11,200 |
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
1 |
1 |
1 |
€2,250 |
€2,250 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers |
368 |
368 |
342 |
€545,000 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers |
114 |
31* |
83** |
€119,322 |
|
*Applications/clients currently being processed
**Processed and final approval communicated to clients
The Local Enterprise Office in Cavan submitted 7 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 55 participants and Training Support to 495 participants.
Tables of uptake Monaghan:
|
Scheme |
Number of firms / applications |
Number Processed to date |
Number of successful applicants |
Amount allocated |
Amount Requested |
|
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant |
10 |
N/A |
10 |
€49,400 |
N/A |
|
Lean Business Continuity Support |
9 |
N/A |
9 |
€22,500 |
N/A |
|
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme |
7 |
N/A |
3 |
€111,639 |
N/A |
|
Restart Grant |
777 |
747 |
703 |
€3,251,425 |
€2,429,384 |
|
SBCI - COVID-19 WCS |
N/A |
38 |
3 |
€190,000 |
Not available |
|
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan |
14 |
Not available |
10 |
€309,000 |
Not available |
|
E-merge |
4 |
4 |
2 |
€5,600 |
€5,600 |
|
Emergency Business Solutions |
5 |
5 |
4 |
€9,000 |
€9,000 |
|
Business Continuity Vouchers |
226 |
223 |
223 |
€364,780 |
Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500 |
|
Trading Online Vouchers |
84 |
26* |
58** |
€137,772 |
|
*Applications/clients currently being processed
**Processed and final approval communicated to clients
The Local Enterprise Office in Monaghan submitted 6 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-35 related Mentoring Support to 35 participants and Training Support to 648 participants.
Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan, to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.
111. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the work that the Company Law Review Group has been asked to carry out for his Department with regard to examining changes to company law with respect to insolvent companies and related commitments in the Programme for Government; the estimated timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20217/20]
View answerI have asked the Company Law Review Group to examine changes to company law in respect of rescue for small businesses and three commitments from the Programme for Government.
Firstly, I wrote to the CLRG on the 8th of July asking it to examine the issue of corporate rescue for SMEs and micro-enterprises under the following terms of reference:
1. Examine and make recommendation as to how the statutory scheme of arrangement provisions of the Companies Act 2014 might be adapted to provide a rescue framework for SMEs.
2. Examine and make recommendation as to ways in which key elements of the examinership process, including a stay on enforcement proceedings and a cross-class cram-down, might be incorporated into a rescue framework for SMEs.
3. Other EU Member States provide for voluntary restructuring processes, with a strong emphasis on creditor agreement. Examine and make recommendation as to whether such a process is desirable in an Irish context with particular emphasis on the French framework (mandate ad hoc procedure).
4. Any other recommendations the CLRG consider appropriate.
I expect the CLRG’s report by early October.
In addition to this, as part of the CLRG’s Work Programme for 2020 - 2022 I will ask that they examine as a priority, the following specific commitments from the Programme for Government:
- review whether the current legal provisions surrounding collective redundancies and the liquidation of companies protect the rights of workers effectively;
- review the Companies Act 2014 with a view to addressing the practice of trading entities splitting their operations between trading and property with the result being the trading business, including the jobs, go into insolvency and the assets are taken out of the original business; and
- examine the legal provision that pertains to any sale to a connected party following the insolvency of a company including who can object and the allowable grounds of an objection.
I recognise that there have been earlier reviews of these issues, including in the CLRG’s 2017 Report on the Protection of Employees and Unsecured Creditors and in the Duffy-Cahill report of 2016. I will be asking the CLRG to undertake an expedited review, taking account of this previous work, and considering recommendations in the light of the economic challenges we now face.
I will be asking the Group, which operates on a voluntary basis, to make recommendations by the end of the year. When this work concludes, the Government will be ready to act and propose legislation, where this can achieve improvements.
I intend to send the final Work Programme to the Chairperson of the CLRG very shortly.
112. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for the restart scheme by county; the number of applications granted and refused in each county; and the allocation to each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/20]
View answerI have set out in the table below the total number of applications received and which have been paid and the number of applications approved and awaiting payment per Local Authority under the Restart Grant scheme as of 24 July 2020. The table also displays the total number of applications which have been rejected and the number of applications received but not approved.
A funding tranche of €200m was made immediately to the 31 local authorities, collectively, to meet the initial applications made to the scheme. The table sets out the allocation made per county under the initial funding tranche.
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
NUMBER APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BUT NOT APPROVED |
NUMBER APPLICATIONS APPROVED BUT NOT PAID |
NUMBER APPLICATIONS PAID |
NUMBER APPLICATIONS REJECTED |
TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS |
DBEI ALLOCATION [€200 M] |
|
Carlow |
113 |
|
365 |
46 |
524 |
€2,669,080 |
|
Cavan |
248 |
12 |
501 |
65 |
826 |
€3,251,425 |
|
Clare |
78 |
49 |
949 |
163 |
1239 |
€5,638,513 |
|
Cork City |
275 |
421 |
1375 |
680 |
2751 |
€12,014,139 |
|
Cork County |
680 |
90 |
2063 |
296 |
3129 |
€15,885,944 |
|
Donegal |
214 |
276 |
1041 |
87 |
1618 |
€7,402,598 |
|
Dublin City |
36 |
205 |
3619 |
1636 |
5496 |
€26,681,619 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
591 |
141 |
548 |
63 |
1343 |
€7,679,343 |
|
Fingal |
230 |
77 |
1256 |
236 |
1799 |
€8,043,964 |
|
Galway City |
56 |
0 |
972 |
232 |
1260 |
€4,984,031 |
|
Galway County |
33 |
47 |
1136 |
450 |
1666 |
€6,559,248 |
|
Kerry |
75 |
99 |
1375 |
382 |
1931 |
€7,483,917 |
|
Kildare |
86 |
|
1046 |
152 |
1284 |
€6,678,602 |
|
Kilkenny |
49 |
4 |
773 |
131 |
957 |
€3,757,697 |
|
Laois |
33 |
1 |
404 |
59 |
497 |
€2,510,378 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
1 |
331 |
33 |
373 |
€1,429,630 |
|
Limerick |
153 |
58 |
1473 |
175 |
1859 |
€8,756,156 |
|
Longford |
18 |
25 |
435 |
28 |
506 |
€1,884,751 |
|
Louth |
265 |
1 |
855 |
385 |
1506 |
€5,902,142 |
|
Mayo |
76 |
32 |
1396 |
163 |
1667 |
€5,601,789 |
|
Meath |
54 |
|
1205 |
82 |
1341 |
€6,201,184 |
|
Monaghan |
30 |
5 |
698 |
44 |
777 |
€3,251,425 |
|
Offaly |
53 |
46 |
493 |
65 |
657 |
€3,357,663 |
|
Roscommon |
14 |
7 |
503 |
15 |
539 |
€2,759,580 |
|
Sligo |
13 |
22 |
592 |
5 |
632 |
€3,007,469 |
|
South Dublin |
215 |
77 |
1045 |
780 |
2117 |
€9,095,857 |
|
Tipperary |
168 |
7 |
1464 |
90 |
1729 |
€7,114,049 |
|
Waterford |
101 |
|
886 |
168 |
1155 |
€5,314,551 |
|
Westmeath |
21 |
9 |
826 |
63 |
919 |
€4,135,434 |
|
Wexford |
27 |
49 |
1446 |
126 |
1648 |
€5,974,280 |
|
Wicklow |
120 |
27 |
918 |
122 |
1187 |
€4,973,539 |
|
GRAND TOTALS |
4,133 |
1,788 |
31,989 |
7,022 |
44,932 |
€199,999,997 |
