Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
357. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if grant support will be provided for businesses, that is, shops, pubs and so on within community and sports centres to assist them to reopen following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12428/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe have sought to prioritise commercial entities that are totally dependent on their trading income which in turn creates paid employment locally and will drive economic activity and get money circulating. Within available funding, the aim is to get these businesses back up and running, trading as normally as possible so that they can retain employees.
Sporting Organisations were deemed ineligible because they are not strictly or solely commercial trading entities and could have sources of income other than their commercial operations for example, membership fees.
The €250m Restart Grant is just one of a range of supports provided by the Government to support businesses, employers and employees on foot of the crisis.
My colleagues Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and Seán Canney TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, on Friday, 8th May announced the launch of a €40 million package of supports specifically for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. The package consists of:
- A €35 million ‘COVID-19 Stability Fund’ which will provide a level of support to qualifying organisations who are most in need and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis; and
- A €5m Government commitment to a Philanthropy Fund, (Innovate Together) which will focus on supporting responses to the COVID-19 crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges.
The Stability Fund is being administered by Pobal. The Government will continue to support the needs of different sectors with well-tailored and targeted initiatives.
Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
