Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
188. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if fixed costs supports will be provided for small and medium-sized enterprises in the events sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15509/21]
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. 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).
The turnover of the business over the claim period is 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 after 1 November 2020.
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.
