Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
165. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the recognition being given to food suppliers of restaurants, cafés and bars such as meat, fish and vegetable suppliers that have little or no outlets for their produce now; the support package available for these food suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34658/20]
View answerThere is no doubt that our struggle with COVID – 19 and our battle to suppress this virus is having severe effect on certain business sectors and the food distribution and supply sectors in particular. We know the move to Level 5 will have a significant impact on food service businesses and their suppliers. Bord Bia is continuing to work with food producers and suppliers to diversify and to develop alternative routes to market.
Budget 2021 provides a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.
The measures in the Budget are in addition to those announced in the July Stimulus Package, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Restart Grant Plus, cash for businesses, low cost loans and commercial rates waivers.
As a result of the fact that businesses have to close, we are making changes to the PUP and the EWSS. The new payment structure for the PUP includes the increase in the top rate to €350 for those who were earning in excess of €400 per week. This change to payment rates will apply in respect of all existing and new applicants.
The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP, with the top payment increasing to €350 for those earning over €400.
As part of Budget 2021, the New COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), is now operational through Revenue and offers a targeted, timely and temporary sector-specific support to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID of up to €5,000 per week.
We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme.
We have also announced a six-month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%, a reduction in the 13.5% VAT rate to 9% which will benefit the hospitality sector, together with a range of additional public capital investment measures to support the domestic economy.
