Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be withdrawn from 17 May 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27159/21]
View answer204. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be withdrawn from travel agencies on 17 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/21]
View answer205. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if a double week of the Covid restrictions support scheme will be paid to travel agencies on the week commencing the 17 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/21]
View answer206. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the length of time the Covid restrictions support scheme payment will remain in place for the travel agencies sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27308/21]
View answer207. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if the status of the travel agency sector (details supplied) will be acknowledged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27309/21]
View answer213. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be available to travel agents once they reopen; if so, the length that it will be extended given the fact that the situation in relation to foreign travel remains unclear and further given that deposits received by travel agents when they do reopen will be passed on immediately leaving them unable to pay overheads and thus requiring ongoing Government supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 204 to 207, inclusive, and 213 together.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (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.
Details of CRSS were published in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in the legislation, have been published on the Revenue website.
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.
The Dáil has approved the extension of both the EWSS and the CRSS until the end of June 2021.
With easing of restrictions in the coming weeks, the CRSS will remain available to any business still closed/restricted under public health guidelines. Any business which can reopen but chooses not to will not be eligible for the CRSS.
It will not be sufficient that the trade of a business has been impacted because of a reduction in customer demand as a consequence of Covid-19. The scheme only applies where, as a direct result of the specific terms of the Government restrictions, the business is required to either prohibit or significantly restrict access to its business premises.
Any business currently availing of CRSS and that can now reopen as restrictions are eased will be able to avail of double restart week payments for two weeks subject to the statutory maximum of €5,000 per week to support them in meeting the costs of reopening as they exit the scheme.
The CRSS is an additional measure for businesses in a region subject to significant Covid-19 restrictions. Businesses not falling within the scope of the CRSS may be entitled to support under other measures put in place by Government, including the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). Businesses may also be eligible to warehouse VAT and PAYE (Employer) debts and also excess payments received by employers under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the balance of Income Tax for 2019 and Preliminary Tax for 2020 for self-assessed taxpayers if applicable.
The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with my Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.
