Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
13. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the restart grant will be extended to sole traders and other businesses that do not pay commercial rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13792/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant support is just one part of the wider €12bn package of supports for commercial firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help those businesses to continue trading and to maintain employment.
This package is a significant step-up in the supports available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time and the measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise. They are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.
The former Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty on 25 June announced that the Department’s Enterprise Support Grant will be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. A fund of €12m has been allocated for the extension of this grant.
The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants.
All Covid 19 business supports and Schemes are under constant review in terms of the evolving situation and will be adapted as circumstances dictate, including adaptations to the phased opening of our economy. In that regard, I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with my colleagues across Government and all stakeholders to examine further appropriate supports to assist businesses impacted by Covid-19. Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable under the EU’s state aid framework and this analysis will be a key input to our consideration of additional measures that may be warranted as part of the Government's July Recovery Plan.
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/
