Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2020
50. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to continue the business continuity voucher, which has expired and was beneficial to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16148/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to recognised business needs at that time, the Business Continuity Voucher (BCV) scheme was launched on 26th March last. The BCV Scheme provided up to €2,500 in consultancy costs, to develop short and long-term strategies to respond to the initial pandemic and to plan for the eventual recovery and reopening of the economy. The purpose of the scheme was to provide expert guidance and advice to SMEs employing up 50 people and enable business owners make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions could be taken at the outset of this crisis, to protect staff and sales and eventually help the business recover. The scheme was a resounding success in terms of uptake, the product of it being an appropriate support for that point in time.
As the reopening of the economy continues apace, more and more businesses are transitioning from the planning to the implementation phase. It is in this context that the BCV was phased out and superseded by the new €250m Restart Grant which was introduced to assist micro and small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following COVID-19 closures.
The Restart Grant is available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m employing up to 50 people, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% projected reduction in turnover to the end of June 2020. The grants will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, or a minimum grant of €2,000, with a maximum grant of €10,000.
In terms of business continuity planning, Enterprise Ireland's Lean Business Continuity Voucher is available to SMEs employing 10 or more in the manufacturing or internationally traded service sectors. This Voucher allows them to access up to €2,500 in training or advisory services support related to the continued operation of their businesses during the current pandemic.
The voucher allows companies to access external independent experts in areas such as:
- Business strategy, in light of the changing marketplace/supply chains and customer needs
- Physical changes to the layout of operations, where the need to maintain a safe distance can be challenging
- Process re-engineering, where health and safety requirements dictate changes to existing processes
My focus since I took up my new role has been on the July Stimulus Package which is aimed at supporting the viability of the business and enterprise sector and to get people back to work as quickly as possible in all sectors. The current supports are being reviewed as part of that.
In that regard, my Department has developed a range of proposals which I have brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment for consideration. These proposals, along with others from Ministerial colleagues, will be developed and adjusted further for the Government’s consideration of an ambitious stimulus package which will be announced soon.
Importantly, the July stimulus we are developing will aim to assist business to reopen and to sustain employment and to strategically position our economy and firms to meet future challenges.
I look forward to announcing the details shortly.
