Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
72. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois, respectively, that have registered for the increased cost of business Grant to date; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Cork and Kerry, respectively, that have to date registered for the increased cost of business grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16931/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if business in Cork have received payment under the increased cost of business scheme. [16993/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 80 and 84 together.
I would like to thank the Deputies for asking for an update on the ICOB grant.
Deputies will be aware that, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses.
Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department.
Local Authorities have written to all rate paying businesses with details of how to register for the grant and it is a very simple process for businesses to verify their details through an online portal.
The scheme has been open for registrations since 14 March. Local Authorities will begin to send payments to eligible businesses from Monday next 22 April . The closing date for applications for the ICOB grant is 1 May 2024. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant as soon as they receive a letter from their Local Authority. The sooner a business registers the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out.
In relation to the uptake of the scheme in the counties referred to in the questions, the latest figures as at Tuesday 16th April are as follows:
Longford has 363 registrations which is 37% of those businesses notified
Westmeath has 682 registrations which is 33% of those businesses notified
Offaly has 448 registrations which is 20% of those businesses notified
Laois has 402 registrations which is 30% of those businesses notified
Cork City has 2118 registrations which is 23% of those businesses notified
Cork County has 2304 registrations and which is 19% of those businesses notified
Kerry has 1153 registrations which is 21% of those businesses notified.
