Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
48. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider extending the restart grant, which is administered by the local authorities, to include non-rate-paying businesses. [15763/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant was launched on 22 May 2020 and is a critically important tool to support small businesses to reopen their doors and get back on their feet. Grant payments range from a minimum of €2,000 up to €10,000. The scheme was devised in recognition of the fact that micro and small businesses were and are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of Covid-19.
Using funding allocated by Enterprise Ireland for the Scheme, the Local Authorities are the granting authority in each of their respective areas in accordance with the criteria for the Scheme and the Local Authorities make grant payments to the bank account of qualifying businesses, in accordance with the scheme.
The Restart Grant is just one part of a wider assistance package for business and for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Within the funding available so far, the priority has been to assist those who have suffered most, including closure of the business, but whom will still have incurred ongoing costs.
The unprecedented circumstances of the COVID19 global pandemic has resulted in a swiftly evolving landscape for enterprises. I will continue to use all available tools at my disposal to support businesses and ensure their survival.
The grant scheme has been broadly welcomed by business owners who benefited from it. However, I am aware of certain exclusions as the application and assessment processes have been rolled out. In accordance with the Service Level Agreement between the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation, the Local Authorities and Enterprise Ireland, a review has commenced to identify the effectiveness of the Scheme. This review is also in line with an undertaking given in the Programme for Government, to carry out a general review of the Restart Grant. This review has now commenced in my Department and will be completed shortly and form an important input to Government's considerations for the forthcoming Recovery Plan.
