Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
66. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart plus grant will be expanded for marine based activity providers that do not pay rates but pay harbour and mooring fees to Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35061/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant Plus scheme which launched on 10 August 2020, is now closed to new applications since 31 October 2020. The scheme was aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. The Scheme was available only to businesses operating commercially from a rateable premises within the Local Authorities rates system.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme was however, just one part of the wider range of schemes available to firms of all sizes. As part of Budget 2021, the New Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), operated through Revenue from 13 October 2020, 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 month.
The Government has also extended the wage subsidy scheme, which will now run through 2021 and has also improved eligibility criteria for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The Government 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.
The Microenterprise Assistance Fund is also available from Local Enterprise Offices for businesses which are not eligible for the COVID-19 Restart/Restart Plus Grant or similar COVID-19 business restart grants from other Government Departments.
