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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Ceisteanna (148)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

148. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures in place to provide security and relief for commercial tenants who may have yet to reopen but are paying full rent price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am acutely aware of the ongoing difficulties that businesses continue to face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I know some businesses have yet to reopen and in particular businesses who offer indoor hospitality and indoor activities.

As you know the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), Small business assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The level of business supports is unprecedented.

While commercial rents, including rent reductions, are a matter for landlords and tenants to negotiate individually, some of the supports available, including CRSS and SBASC and the waiver of commercial rates, are available to help with fixed costs.

My Department developed a voluntary Code of Conduct between landlord and tenants which sets out a structured approach for engagement between both commercial landlords and tenants, based on their mutual interest in continuing to work together. The Department will be reviewing the Code of Conduct between landlords and tenants for commercial rents in the coming weeks as the Code is currently due to expire at the end of July 2021.

The Government has worked to ensure that there is a range of assistance in place for COVID-19-impacted businesses including the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Future Growth Loan Scheme.

Also the VAT reduction of 13.5% to 9% for the hospitality sector will remain in place until the end of 2021. This rate reduction applies to catering and restaurant services, tourist accommodation, cinemas, theatres, museums, historic houses, open farms, amusement parks and certain printed matter.

It also should be noted that Court fees, associated excise and stamp duties relating to the renewal of pub and other liquor licences were waived in 2020. A Waiver of excise duty on on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2020 is also in place.

All businesses supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.

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