Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
89. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford that have registered to date for the increased cost of business, ICOB, grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/24]
View answerAs you will be aware, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses.
Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department.
Local Authorities have written to all rate paying businesses with details of how to register for the grant and it is a very simple process for businesses to verify their details through an online portal.
The scheme has been open for registrations since 14 March. The closing date for the ICOB grant is 1 May 2024. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant as soon as they receive a letter from their Local Authority. The sooner a business registers the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out. Local Authorities will begin to send payments to eligible businesses from Monday next 22 April.
In relation to the counties you refer to in your question, the latest registrations as at Tuesday 16th April are as follows:
Carlow has 408 registrations which is 26% of businesses notified
Kilkenny has 700 registrations which is 28% of businesses notified
Wexford has 1617 registrations which is 35% of businesses notified
Waterford has 867 registrations which is 25% of businesses notified
