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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (139)

David Cullinane

Question:

139. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if businesses which were non-trading in March 2020 but began or were due to begin trading in 2020 or 2021 during the pandemic will qualify for the Covid-19 business aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13884/21]

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Written answers

I am acutely aware of the difficulties that these necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on all businesses right across the country.  Business owners are making sacrifices in order to protect their communities.

With that in mind, I recently announced the new Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID.  This scheme is now open for applications through Local Authorities and will provide a €4,000 grant for businesses for the first quarter of this year.  Closing date for Local Authorities to receive applications is 21st April, 2021. 

The Scheme is open to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships, with a minimum turnover of €50,000 and are not owned and operated by a public body. The Scheme is open to firms that currently employ less than 250 and with current turnover of less than €25m.

Businesses down 75% or more in turnover among those expected to benefit the scheme.  The scheme is available to businesses not eligible for CRSS, the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme, or the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Live Performance Support.

The business must operate from a building, or similar fixed physical structure on which business rates are payable (mobile premises, or premises which are not permanently fixed in place, do not meet the definition of business premises nor do premises on which no rates are payable).

Specifically in relation to the time period you reference, the turnover of the business over the claim period can be estimated to be no more than 25% of the average weekly turnover of the business in 2019; or the projected average weekly turnover of the business for 1 January to 31 March 2021, for businesses that commenced trading after 1 November 2019.  Businesses which began trading during 2020 are therefore eligible to apply for the scheme if they meet the other qualifying criteria. 

Full details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.

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