Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
372. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 restrictions support scheme under the Finance Act 2020 to include suppliers who have suffered reduced income as a result of public health restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1852/21]
View answerThe CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.
The CRSS applies to businesses carrying on trading activities from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions, which requires the business to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing their business premises and as a result, is operating at less than 25% of turnover in 2019.
Any business that can remain open without having to prohibit or significantly restrict access to their business premises, but chooses not to remain open such as a wholesaler or supplier, will not be eligible to claim under CRSS.
It is not sufficient that the business supplies goods or services to another business that qualifies for the support because, under the Covid restrictions, that other business is required to temporarily close, or significantly reduce, its activity. Each business must satisfy the eligibility criteria in their own right.
There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the CRSS. The CRSS is targeted at businesses who are forced to restrict access to their premises on foot of health regulations. It is a part of the broad spectrum of Government supports being provided to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19.
In this regard, you may note that my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently announced €160m funding for measures to help businesses during the pandemic which may be of assistance to your constituents. One of these new schemes, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the government’s other existing schemes designed to help with fixed costs. Further details are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/94496-government-160m-boost-to-covid-19-business-grants/.
The purpose of the CRSS is to provide additional support to the businesses who have had to close temporarily or significantly restrict access to their premises as a direct result of public health Regulations. The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.
