Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
455. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the provision of State supports for businesses damaged and affected due to the riots in Dublin on 23 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1950/24]
View answerFollowing the appalling events of Thursday, 23 November, in Dublin City Centre, I, along with Ministers Coveney and Calleary met with business and retail representative bodies, alongside Dublin City Council, on Tuesday 28 November 2023, to discuss how to best support the continued operation of businesses in the city centre.
Also at the Retail Forum meeting in December 2023, concerns around workplace safety and retail crime were discussed. I met with my colleague the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D., to share these concerns and to discuss available options. Minister McEntee and I will continue to work to keep retailers, customers and crucially, workers safe.
This Government has responded to the needs of retailers when it came to helping them and their workers get through difficult periods. Budget 2024 contained measures which will support businesses, including the Increased Cost of Business Grant which is targeted at Small and Medium sized businesses who operate from a rateable premises, with a total allocation of €250m, and an extension of the 9% VAT reduction for gas and electricity until 31st October 2024, is among other measures.
My colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, T.D., has provided funding of €1.5 million for Dublin City. The funding is partly in respect of clean-up and repair costs incurred by Dublin City Council, and the remainder is to be used towards staffing the dedicated City Sustainable Team, which was set up in response to the events of 23rd November last, and any other initiatives that will support and promote the city centre for retail, hospitality and tourism. This funding, which will be allocated shortly, is in recognition of the devastating impact of recent events and the vital role played by Dublin City Council in coordinating the response to repair the reputational and physical damage to our capital city.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities in Dublin – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that.
We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
I would also urge workers who have specific concerns about their own workplace to bring those concerns directly to the Health and Safety Authority at contactus@hsa.ie or by LO-Call at 0818 289 389.
