Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
59. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Kilkenny 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. [43829/21]
View answerThe Government recognises the sacrifices business owners, employees and their families have made over the past 18 months in order to 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-19 (SBASC) is part of the Government's comprehensive business support package included 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. We recognised that while thousands of businesses were benefitting from our schemes, there were a small number operating from non-rated business and home offices that had fixed costs and that were viable and could be positioned to reopen. That is why I worked with officials in my Department and with Government colleagues to develop the SBASC grants.
The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Kilkenny is 237, of which 117 have been approved for payment.
Refusals have occurred due to eligibility requirements such as businesses not meeting the turnover criteria that turnover had decreased by 75% during the eligibility period, 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 business can now apply for the Government's new Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS). My Government 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 https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
I would also encourage business owners to talk to Kilkenny's Local Enterprises Office, which offers advice and guidance in relation to the supports available to businesses.
