I appreciate this is a difficult period for businesses operating in the play and leisure sector.
The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the supports can be found on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) has been extended to 31 December 2021. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions many businesses are no longer significantly restricted from operating and therefore are no longer eligible for the CRSS. However, eligible businesses have been able to claim enhanced restart week payments to assist them with the costs of reopening. A total of €704m has already been paid out under the CRSS in respect of 25,500 premises. As of 25 November 2021, there are currently 50 businesses with 140 premises still registered for CRSS.
The Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) is a targeted single support payment via the eRepayments facility to support 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. Registration for BRSS opened on 6 September 2021 and the closing date for applications was the 30th November 2021. So far, 1,670 businesses with 1,790 trades have availed of BRSS and claims of €5.7 million have been paid under the Scheme.
The Government will continue to monitor the range of business supports in place to ensure that they are timely and target those who need them the most.
