Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020
24. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports which an enterprise can receive for reopening; and the way in which it varies for enterprises in areas in which level 3 restrictions have been applied. [29161/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this week we announced that as of 6th October at 12 midnight all parts of the country will move to Level Three of the Government’s Framework for Restrictive Measures for a period of three weeks. I understand that these restrictions will have a significant impact on businesses and employment around the country.
In recognition of the impact of these restrictions on businesses, a 30% top-up to the Restart Plus grant will be provided to help support those affected through the three-week period. In addition, in recognising that Level 3 is being extended in Dublin and Donegal beyond the three-week period, businesses in these counties will be eligible for a further 20% and 10% top-up respectively.
The Restart Grant Plus provides direct grant aid to businesses with up to 250 employees to help them with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following COVID-19 closures. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers. The grant could also be used to defray ongoing fixed costs during closure, for example, utilities, insurance, refurbishment or for measures to ensure employee and customer safety.
In most cases the grant will be the amount of the rates assessment for the premises for 2019, with a minimum grant is €4,000 and the maximum grant is €25,000 (or maximum of €15,000 for businesses that received the maximum of €10,000 under the original Restart Grant Scheme). Top-ups were previously introduced in August and September for eligible businesses in Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Dublin and Donegal in respect of a further period of restrictions, for ‘wet’ pubs, bars and nightclubs nationwide that re-opened on 21 September, and for ‘wet’ pubs, bars and nightclubs in Dublin that remain closed.
Businesses that accessed funding through the original round of the Restart Grant Scheme are eligible for a top-up payment to a total combined value of the revised maximum grant level. Applications are made through the Local Authorities. Full details and application forms are available on the websites of all Local Authorities until 31st October 2020.
The Restart Grant Plus is just one part of the wider range of schemes available to firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are there to help small and medium-sized businesses during this crisis. They are a ‘first-stop-shop’ for businesses providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to business owners throughout the country. The LEOs also offer a business mentoring service, where they can assist enterprises in identifying what supports are appropriate and can also assist with the completion of applications for those schemes.
Additionally, the LEOs have moved training programmes, workshops and networking meet-ups online, covering areas such as cash management in a crisis, leading your business through COVID-19 and advice for employers impacted by the crisis. The LEOs also launched the LEO Client Training Initiative which is a new ‘Lunch & Learn’ live training webinar series. This is open and accessible to all LEO client companies and prospective clients across the country, with no registration or sign-up required.
The LEOs also provide Trading Online Vouchers to assist micro-enterprises to establish an on-line presence quickly. New flexibilities to the Scheme were introduced in April including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one. There has been a positive response to these changes and significant uptake of the Scheme.
On 14th September last I announced the Micro-Enterprise Assistance Fund which will help businesses with fewer than 10 employees, which are ineligible for existing grants, with a grant of up to €1,000 to help them adapt and invest to rebuild their business. Businesses impacted by a 30% reduction in turnover due to COVID-19 restrictions or downturn in trade will be eligible provided they commit to reopening and to hiring and sustaining employment. It is estimated that about 2,000 businesses nationwide will benefit.
All COVID-19 Business Schemes are under constant review in terms of the evolving situation and will be adapted as circumstances dictate. In that regard, I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with my colleagues across Government and all stakeholders to examine how best to further assist businesses impacted by COVID-19 as part of the forthcoming Budget and National Economic Plan.
