Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
42. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if supports are available or will be provided for businesses in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11933/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. Businesses are making sacrifices 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 (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The PUP and EWSS are extended now by Government to end of June and I would encourage anyone impacted by COVID-19 to examine again their eligibility for these schemes and to contact their local Intreo office.
I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.
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. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website.
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.
