Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
7. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to roll out a scheme similar to the restart and restart plus grant for rate-paying businesses following the current lockdown to ensure their survival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4673/21]
View answerWe know the serious effects on business of the current Level 5 restrictions. 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. My Department and its agencies have been focused on coming up with solutions to help businesses overcome the difficulties caused by COVID-19. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
The COVID-19 Restrictions Scheme was introduced to provide targeted compensation to those businesses directly impacted by the imposition of public health restrictions. It has advantages over the Restart and Restart Plus Grants as the amounts payable under the scheme can be varied depending on the length of time that restrictions are in place. The level of payment also reflects the turnover of the affected businesses under normal trading conditions.
In the recent Budget, the Government allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors. I would highlight the €395m provided to the Department of Transport and the €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
These additional monies will go towards supporting businesses, including those not in receipt of the COVID-19 Restrictions Scheme, such as through the €30m for private bus operators, €55m for a focused business scheme for strategic tourism businesses along with a €50m scheme for the live entertainment sector.
These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices.
I recognise that some businesses are falling between the stools and may not be eligible for CRSS. I have asked my officials to work with other relevant Departments to identify the type and number of businesses that fall outside the scope of the CRSS, and to report back to me with proposals on how we could devise an amended or new scheme.
