Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Questions (172)

Seán Canney

Question:

172. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports he will put in place to support event caterers who are excluded from the Covid restrictions support scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25258/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I 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), Small business assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The level of business supports is unprecedented.

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.

As you know there is a requirement for some schemes for businesses to be in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority for their business in order to qualify. This may exclude some event caterers. The intention behind this provision is to assist businesses operating from fixed premises to meet some of the ongoing fixed costs of maintaining those premises.

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.

Government is continuing to review the range of assistance schemes and eligibility criteria to ensure we have the right mix for the recovery.