Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
125. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Carlow that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; the number of same that have received funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43791/21]
View answerThe Government recognises the sacrifices business owners, employees and their families have made over the past 18 months in order to help protect their community from COVID-19. As you are aware, the Government put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic. These business supports were unprecedented.
The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) is part of that comprehensive business support package including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.
The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Carlow is 112 and 63 have been approved for payment.
Refusals have occurred due to businesses not meeting the eligibility requirements such as the reduction in turnover, incomplete application forms or the business was in receipt of CRSS or another sectoral scheme.
The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) is now closed and eligible businesses can now apply for the Government's new Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS).
My colleague, the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD on 6th September last announced the launch of the BRSS as a new support scheme for businesses with reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions, with a maximum payment of €15,000. The BRSS is a general scheme and is open to any businesses whose turnover remains impacted as a result of public health restrictions. Businesses who previously availed of other schemes such and SBASC, the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme and CRSS will be eligible to apply provided they meet the qualifying criteria.
Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
I would also encourage business owners to talk to their Local Enterprises Offices who offer advice and guidance in relation to the supports available to businesses.
