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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Ceisteanna (90)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

90. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to assist those over 66 years of age that have businesses but due to age restriction were unable to claim the pandemic unemployment payment; the way in which they will be compensated in view of financial commitments they may have in view of the July stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19916/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 23 July the Government announced the July Stimulus Package, a substantial financial package to stimulate our economy worth more than €5 billion, with an additional €2 billion in loan guarantees. It is bigger in scale than most budgets and will be deployed at speed.

The July Stimulus package is designed to help businesses to open, to help those that are already open to stay open, to get staff back to work and for those who cannot go back to their old jobs, there are new opportunities. These new measures are in addition to those already announced since the onset of the Global Pandemic including the Temporary Wage Subsidy and low cost loans.

As part of the July Stimulus we have extended the wage subsidy scheme, which will run until the end of March 2021. It will be open to firms that do not currently participate and will be open to workers like seasonal workers, who were not previously included. We are also giving companies extra assistance to reopen and stay open through an enhanced Restart grant which is available to more firms and is more generous. We are providing more and cheaper loan finance through MicroFinance Ireland, SBCI and the new €2bn Credit Guarantee Scheme. Businesses affected by COVID-19 will able to delay payment of their PAYE and VAT debts in part of in full for a set period with no interest or penalties. We are also granting all businesses, with limited exceptions, a waiver of commercial rates for the six months to end of September.

Further information on these, along with the full list of actions within the July Stimulus and how to avail of them can be found at www.gov.ie/jobsstimulus.  Up to date details of the range of financial aids offered by agencies and bodies on behalf of my Department is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Take-up-of-DBEI-COVID-19-Business-Supports.html.

If businesses require further assistance, they should contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for guidance and financial help for business owners. They provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant State assistance available to business through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Education and Training Boards, the Credit Review Office and Microfinance Ireland. They also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.

The LEOs provide direct grant aid to microenterprises (up to 10 employees) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector, subject to eligibility criteria. The LEO service offerings are available to applicants providing they can comply with the eligibility requirements which make no reference to age. 

In addition, the full range of Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant and advisory supports continue to be available to eligible firms to help with strategies to access finance, commence or ramp-up online trading activity, reconfigure business models, cut costs, innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness.

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