Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
196. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline what flood relief schemes are available to businesses that are not eligible for the emergency flood relief scheme as they have over 20 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51252/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Emergency Business Flooding scheme on its establishment was to support small businesses, employing up to 20 employees, (whole-time equivalents), community, voluntary and sporting bodies, who through no fault of their own, cannot secure flood insurance. According to recent CSO data this accounts for over 95% of all businesses.
For the purposes of the scheme the Department define the 20 employees referred to in the Scheme as 20 full-time equivalents (FTEs) based on a 40 hour working week. Therefore, in certain circumstances businesses employing in excess of 20 employees may be eligible to apply if their total staffing complement does not exceed the equivalent of 20 full time employees.
To clarify, it measures the total amount of full-time employees working at any one organisation. It is a way of adding up the hours of full-time, part-time and various other types of employees into measurable 'full-time' units. For example, a part-time worker employed for 20 hours a week where full-time work consists of 40 hours, is counted as 0.5 FTE.
