Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
65. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place for those businesses that do not qualify for the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34288/21]
View answerThe main grant scheme in my Department for sole traders which do not qualify for EWSS is the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC).
Phase 1 was a grant designed for businesses that were ineligible for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity grant or other direct sectoral grant schemes. It was designed to help businesses with fixed costs associated with running a business e.g rent, utilities, security etc.
Phase 1 of the scheme was available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships, with less than 250 employees, operating from a rateable premise with a minimum turnover of €50,000 for a pre-defined period. Phase 1 of the Scheme opened for applications on the 11th March 2021 and closed on the 21st April 2021. Eligible businesses for Phase 1 received a payment of €4,000 in 2021.
Phase 2 of SBASC, which was launched in June 2021, was extended to include businesses operating from non-rateable premises e.g home, hot desking hub etc. There are now two grants available, those with a minimum turnover of €50,000 will receive a payment of €4,000 and those with minimum turnover of €20,000 and less than €49,999 will receive a payment of €1,000. Both of these changes can give support to those who are not eligible for EWSS. Phase 2 of SBASC will close to applicants on 21st July 2021. Interested applicants can find more information on their local authority website.
Eligible microenterprises can access lending through Microfinance Ireland’s COVID-19 Business Loans with zero repayments and zero interest for the first six months and the equivalent of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. The loans can range from €5,000 to €25,000. Repayments will commence in month seven for the remaining period of your loan. The Government will rebate to you the interest paid in the following six months (months 7-12 of your loan).
Additional advice and support for self-employed sole traders may be available from the Local Enterprise Offices. I would urge business owners to contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business. More general information on all COVID business support schemes run by my department is available here:
Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)
There are also additional schemes for self-employed people which were developed and are administered by the Department of Social Protection. More information about these schemes is available at:
gov.ie - COVID-19 Social Welfare Schemes available to a self-employed person (www.gov.ie).
