Mark Ward
Question:62. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are in place to sustain the events sector at present. [29842/21]
View answerThursday, 3 June 2021
Questions (62)
Written answers
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 and were further expanded by Government as announced earlier this week as part of the Economic Recovery Plan.
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 will be aware I have also announced the expansion of the SBASC scheme which will now take into account businesses who do not pay rates and also businesses that have a turnover below €50,000. Phase 2 of this scheme will be open for applications in early June, with a closing date of 21st July. Further details of the scheme including all eligibility criteria will shortly be available on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie and on Local Authority websites.
As noted earlier, on Tuesday the Government launched the Economic Recovery Plan including a substantial extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), and considerable enhancement of both EWSS and CRSS. This is complemented by a range of initiatives including extension of Commercial Rates Waiver, new additional Business Resumption Support Scheme, and extension of Tax Debt Warehousing Scheme.
The Economic Recovery Plan confirmed that a new events sector support scheme will be established providing a once-off scheme to address a gap in supports for SMEs in the sector for those that don’t qualify for CRSS or don’t make an application for support under MEBAS.
In the Economic Recovery Plan we have committed to continue to provide supports for worst-affected sectors including tourism and events as they continue to re-open, including the extension of 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality sector and supports for live entertainment and the events sector. The Deputy can find more details on gov.ie or can seek further information from my colleague Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media who has primary responsibility for the tourism, hospitality and events sector.