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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 September 2020

Thursday, 10 September 2020

Questions (58)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

58. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses which applied for the business continuity grant voucher scheme in counties Longford and Westmeath; the number of successful applications; the number of applications that remain to be processed; and the number of applications for the scheme in each county that were refused. [23211/20]

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Written answers

The Business Continuity Voucher scheme was launched on 26th March. The purpose of the scheme was to provide expert guidance and advice to SMEs employing up 50 people and enable business owners make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions could be taken at the outset of this crisis, to protect staff and sales and eventually help the business recover.

The scheme was operated by the Local Enterprise Offices in 31 locations nationwide and was a resounding success in terms of uptake due to it being an appropriate response and support to recognised business needs for that point in time.

The LEOs continue to work with some existing applicants and recipients of Business Continuity Voucher vouchers and their subsequent business continuity plans.

The following are the BCV statistics for Longford and Westmeath

Longford

Westmeath

No. of businesses which applied for the business continuity grant voucher scheme

232

554

No. of successful applications

135

471

No. of applications that remain to be processed

32

25

No. of applications for the business continuity grant voucher scheme in Longford that were refused

0

29 (reasons they were refused was that they had applied to Westmeath incorrectly, had applied to Westmeath and another county, were over the limit of employees, charitable companies)

Other

65 (47 were directed for mentoring rather than voucher and 18 applicants were of the opinion it was a cash payment and had no need for consultancy support.

29 (21 were withdrawn by client and 8 referred (for other LEO Supports)

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