Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. To answer his last question first, through many years Ireland has built up a very robust life sciences and biopharmaceutical industry, the quality and depth of which is recognised across the world. Our track record on skills availability, manufacturing quality, consistent pro-enterprise policies, high regulatory standards and access to the European Union attracts many companies to the country. Of course, biopharmaceuticals is a globalised industry with multinational companies seeking markets, skills, innovation and production expertise as well as mitigating concentration risk through diverse market presence. Companies based in Ireland such as those in the Deputy's own county, including Abbott Ireland, MSD and Boston Scientific in Clonmel, are at the cutting edge of developing and manufacturing complex and often life-saving drugs that are exported throughout the world. It is important to remember that Ireland is a key part of a sophisticated global supply chain within the biopharmaceutical industry and that has been built up over time.

The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland recently told me that Ireland's reputation had been enhanced by how we have responded to Covid-19. I assure the Deputy that Martin Shanahan, the CEO of IDA Ireland, and his team are in continual contact with all of these multinationals across the country because, as all Members are aware, they contribute significantly to very important high-quality jobs in the regions.

On grants and the self-employed, I agree with the Deputy that the self-employed people across the country who have two or three employees are vital. They play a very important role. During the previous crisis to hit this country, there was no support for the self-employed and that was wrong. We changed that in the last budget. The pandemic unemployment payment of €350 is available to every person who is unemployed as a result of Covid-19, including the self-employed. That is, obviously, of some help to those people. There are several grants available, including the business continuity grant which provides expertise in how to put applications together for planning and financial supports. The trading online grant of €5,000 is available to businesses which wish to go online. They can get a grant of €2,500 from their local enterprise office and apply for another €2,500. The local enterprise office is the first port of call. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the staff in local enterprise offices in every county. They are doing tremendous work at the coalface.

After the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, I will be announcing details of the restart grant. It will comprise a fund of €250 million to address the exact issues highlighted by the Deputy, that is, to help businesses get started and to cover the costs that might have caused businesses to choose not to open up. It will help those businesses. Grants of up to €10,000 will be available. The grant will relate to the amount of rates paid by the company in 2019.

That will be a cash injection. The wage subsidy scheme is also available to these companies for their employees. This means that if the employees are back at work, the businesses can avail of the scheme which provides up to 80% of the employees' wages until 16 June. There are a number of supports there.

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