Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021
3. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the COVID business aid scheme to include businesses that have significant maintenance and fixed costs but do not operate on fixed premises such as private coach operators for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. 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.
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.
The new €60m Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID will provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes. It is designed to help with fixed costs and will be of benefit to those in the transport sector that may have a rated parking or other maintenance facilities for their vehicles. The scheme is now open.
You may also wish to consult with the Department of Transport who have overall responsibility for licensing of private coach operators.
The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help businesses further. However, our schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. We are not providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.
