Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
185. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15395/21]
View answerI recognise the impact that this pandemic is having 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), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. These are in addition to financial assistance and other schemes provided to businesses via Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices.
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. The 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. A full list of the criteria is available on my website or the relevant local authority website.
Event companies if they meet the criteria for this scheme will be eligible for this grant.
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/.
I along with my Government colleagues are keeping the current COVID support schemes under review.
