Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Questions (21)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

21. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the €160 million boost to firms under the Covid-19 fund as announced on 9 February 2021 extends to sports clubs; if not, the reason sports clubs that pay local authority commercial rates and that were covered by his Department's business scheme up to November 2020 when the Covid restrictions support scheme was created now find themselves without support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11198/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on communities right across the country. Sacrifices are being made right across the country by people in order to protect their communities.

With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme, low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.

I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. The details of this scheme are currently being finalised and it is expected they will be announced shortly.