Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
19. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason clubs (details supplied) have been excluded from Covid-19 support schemes; if there is a plan to include them in a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8334/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am keenly aware that all types of businesses are making a continued massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government will offer as much assistance and support as possible.
The €7bn July Stimulus package and Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. These measures include the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst self-employed. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
As announced in the July Stimulus, the Enterprise Support Grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed who exit the PUP or jobseekers schemes, to re-start their business. Further information is available at www.gov.ie.
On the 9th of December, following engagement with the Arts sector and other self-employed sectors my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Social Protection, announced the doubling of the PUP threshold to assist those who are trying to restart their businesses and will allow self-employed people to take on intermittent jobs without losing their entitlement to the PUP.
In addition to the CRSS and other measures announced in the budget, such as the €50 million fund for live entertainment, on 9th February I announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), which is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes designed to help with fixed costs.
I can assure the Deputy that all COVID-19 Business Schemes, are closely monitored and will be adapted as circumstances dictate.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, may be able to provide more specific details assistance for clubs and on a roadmap to recovery for the events and hospitality industry, for which she has lead responsibility.
