Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To answer the Deputy's questions, the restart grant has, in many ways, now been superseded by the budget announcement on Tuesday of the Covid restrictions subsidy scheme, CRSS, which will provide a weekly grant to businesses that are closed as a result of Government orders relating to the pandemic, with the proviso that they may operate at a very reduced turnover, that is, they are down 80% on where they were last year.

The restart grant plus is a critically important tool to support micro and small businesses to reopen their doors and get back on their feet. The closure date for receipt of applications has been extended to 31 October. It is designed to contribute to the cost of reopening or keeping a business operational or reconnecting with employees and customers. The grant could also be used to defray ongoing fixed costs during closure, such as, for example, utilities, insurance or refurbishment, or for measures to ensure employee and customer safety. It is one of a package of financial and other supports available to businesses. As of 9 October, the original restart grant had 45,000 applications with €155 million approved. The restart grant plus had just under 55,000 applicants with €273 million approved.

The restart grant scheme for bed and breakfasts is being run through Fáilte Ireland in consultation with my Department and the Department of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. The grant allocation will assist bed and breakfast owners with the costs of reopening and operating their businesses. Applications for bed and breakfasts under the National Quality Assurance Framework, NQAF, through direct approval by Fáilte Ireland, opened on 14 September and applications will close on 28 October. Fáilte Ireland will shortly announce details of the application process for bed and breakfasts which are not approved under the NQAF.

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