Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
163. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be increased for publicans who are not allowed to operate during the festive period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41322/20]
View answer164. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be increased for publicans who chose to remain closed during the festive period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41323/20]
View answer190. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if hotels can claim the CRSS scheme under level 3 restrictions before 18 December 2020 when county restrictions are to be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41731/20]
View answer191. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if pubs that sell food are permitted to reopen from 4 December 2020; if they will no longer be eligible for the CRSS payment from 4 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41734/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 164, 190 and 191 together.
The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health Regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. It applies to businesses who, under the specific terms of the regulations, are required to prohibit or significantly restrict members of the public from accessing their business premises, with the result that the business is required to temporarily close or to operate at significantly reduced levels. Support provided under CRSS is intended to enable businesses to meet normal fixed costs associated with their business premises such as rent, insurance, utilities and so on, during the period which they are subject to such restrictions.
Domestic travel restrictions or social distancing measures are not the level of restrictions to which the CRSS refers. To be eligible to make a claim under CRSS, the applicable restrictions should require the business to either prohibit, or significantly restrict, customers from accessing the business premises in which the relevant business activity is carried on.
There has been an easing of restrictions on businesses, with a phased move to Level 3 restrictions nationally from 1 December, with some restrictions easing from 4 December and 18 December respectively. Since 1 December, hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s have been allowed to reopen to provide accommodation services to the general public. Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools, including those within hotels, were also allowed to reopen for individual use. From 4 December, bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars) which serve substantial meals prepared onsite are allowed to open for indoor dining.
In most cases, hotels ceased to be significantly restricted from operating from 4 December and therefore cease to qualify for CRSS from that date. However, a hotel, like other businesses reopening after the period of restrictions, will be eligible to claim an additional week’s support under CRSS (referred to as a ‘restart week’) to assist the hotel in meeting the costs of reopening.
Depending on the particular trade of a hotel, the hotel may, under the current public health regulations, continue to be subject to some level of restrictions. For example, nightclubs are not allowed to reopen under the current public health regulations and restrictions on indoor gatherings remain, which may impact a hotel with significant conferencing facilities or a hotel whose trade consists substantially of the hosting of large wedding receptions (which are limited to 25 patrons under current regulations). In certain limited cases, restrictions under the current public health regulations might amount to significant restrictions for a hotel, having regard to the mix of its services. If so, the hotel will continue to be eligible to claim under CRSS. If a hotel business forms the view that, having regard to the totality of its trade carried on from the hotel premises, it continues to be significantly restricted under the regulations, and therefore is eligible to claim under CRSS, it should retain evidence to support the basis of its claim for future checking by Revenue.
Pubs that serve substantial meals prepared on the premises were allowed to reopen on 4 December and therefore, from that date, ceased to qualify for CRSS. However, they are eligible to claim the restart week on reopening. Pubs that do not serve substantial meals which are prepared on the premises are not allowed to reopen and, therefore, remain eligible to claim under CRSS. I announced an additional seasonal support for businesses who cannot reopen through December. Payable for a period of three weeks beginning 21 December, the additional support will provide up to double the amount of the weekly CRSS support payment due subject to the statutory maximum payment of €5,000 per week.
This additional seasonal support is being made available in recognition of the additional financial impact on those business of being closed at Christmas time, which for many would be a particularly busy trading period. All businesses benefiting from this additional seasonal support will still qualify for the additional ‘restart week’ under CRSS once they can reopen.
Any business that can reopen without having to prohibit or significantly restrict access to their business premises, but chooses not to reopen, will not be eligible to claim under CRSS.
