I recognise the impact that this pandemic is having on businesses right across the country. I know that employers and employees want to get back to work and I support them in that ambition, but it must be safe to do so.
In order to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for firms of all sizes. These supports are designed to build confidence, to further assist businesses in terms of the management of their companies and to allow them to begin looking to the future and start charting a path forward https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
Budget 2021 provided 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, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, cash for businesses, low cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities. These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices.
COVID-19 has accelerated the transition to online retailing and seen retail come up with new and innovate ways to trade safely, to protect its employees and customers. My Department introduced the COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme to support Irish-owned retail businesses to rapidly adapt and enhance their online business capability as they work within the COVID-19 public health measures. The Scheme will also help to position retail businesses for recovery in the future, once the public health emergency and related measures have passed.
The Local Enterprise Offices will continue to adapt their supports to deal with the changing external environment ensuring that they are robust in their offerings to business in tackling existing and emerging economic challenges for business. The LEO network will continue to drive uptake of LEO offers and supports through the implementation of its ‘Making It Happen’ communications strategy at national level across the brand pillars; Pre-Start, Start & Grow. A national brand campaign under the Resilience & Recovery theme is aimed at supporting those affected by Covid-19, Brexit and as a shield against further economic downturns. The campaign will generate awareness of the enterprise pathway with Enterprise Ireland and cross promotion of EI supports to LEOs & LEO clients (in accordance with the programme for Government).
The LEO’s have undertaken significant work in supporting business across a range of sectors develop contingency plans to diversify and pivot their business ensuring that they are resilient and can continue to trade. Resources will be utilised to increase one to one engagement with clients to identify innovation and technology challenges delivering appropriate solutions. A core focus of the LEO’s is supporting owner manager capability and development. Developing the confidence and driving the ambition of local firms to scale and compete will continue to be a priority in the coming years.
I am working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 and I will continue to monitor the measures in place for businesses with the goal of setting our country towards economic recovery. The Government is determined to ensure there will be no cliff-edge scenario and businesses will continue to be supported as much as possible.
