Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider providing direct financial supports to essential businesses that have remained open during the pandemic but whose turnover is down by more than 50% and whose viability in the current restrictions is now threatened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 pandemic has wrought significant hardship to businesses right across our economy. Whilst those businesses who have been forced to close have obviously been most impacted, Government appreciates that many businesses including those deemed ‘essential’ have also suffered greatly.
It is important to note the wide range of aids that have been developed by Government to provide assistance to those businesses whose activity has been greatly curtailed as a result of the pandemic.
Perhaps most pertinent for such businesses are the wage subsidy schemes, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and its successor, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
These vital schemes have and will continue to subsidise the wages of employees in businesses who have suffered declines in turnover of 30% or greater versus a comparative period in 2019. The EWSS is of particular assistance to those businesses who continue to trade, as it should help to cover a large portion of the variable costs the business incurs by opening.
Alongside the wage subsidy schemes are other concessions which have been granted over the past year, including waivers of commercial rates by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the warehousing of tax liabilities by my colleague the Minister for Finance.
In terms of direct grants, many businesses, including those who remained open but who have suffered declines in turnover of 25% or greater were eligible for the Restart and Restart Plus grants from my own Department. These direct payments complemented a number of other schemes available from my Department, the Enterprise Agencies and the Local Enterprise Offices.
There are businesses for whom additional assistance may be necessary, such as those who are ineligible for CRSS or other schemes. To that end, I have directed my officials to engage with other relevant Departments to identify the type of businesses that fall outside of existing schemes, both generally available and specific sectoral schemes. I will be in a position to provide a further update in the near future.
