Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
79. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant will be extended over the coming 12 months; and the terms applying for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. [47534/21]
View answerThe Restart Grant, subsequently the Restart Grant Plus, Scheme provided by my Department was introduced as part of the COVID-19 enterprise measures on foot of Government Decisions and operated by the 31 Local Authorities from May 2020 to October 2020. The Scheme was superseded as part of Budget 2021 by the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by Revenue.
As announced in June this year by the Minister for Finance, a new additional support for businesses impacted by Covid-19 is now available. The Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS), operated by Revenue, is open for registration via the e-Registration facility in ROS. Once registered, eligible businesses can make a claim at any time up to 30 November 2021 for the single payment support via the eRepayments facility in ROS.
The BRSS is a targeted support for companies, self-employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by Covid-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions. The scheme is available to businesses that were actively trading on 1 September 2021 and intend to continue doing so.
A qualifying person may make a claim under BRSS for a single payment which will be equal to three times the average weekly turnover of the relevant business activity for the applicable reference period as follows: 10% of average weekly turnover up to €20,000, 5% of average weekly turnover above €20,000, and subject to a maximum payment of €15,000. Further details are available from Revenue at www.revenue.ie/en/self-assessment-and-self-employment/brss/index.aspx.
The range of measures taken by government, such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), the BRSS, and sector-specific measures such as business continuity grants and the lower VAT rate, have all been critical in supporting businesses and jobs. Details of the wide range of supports available are noted on my Department’s website at www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Supports-for-businesses-COVID-19.html.
The Government will carefully consider any additional measures required to ensure that Budget 2022 addresses key priorities for business survival and recovery such as continued business continuity and employee supports.
