Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to add my words of thanks to the Ceann Comhairle, as our Chairperson, and to the staff of the Houses who never ever fail to look after us.

I want to ask the Tánaiste about the latest grant scheme to support small businesses.

It genuinely looks like this one is going the same direction as the others, with €1.4 billion allocated and €1.1 billion returned to the Exchequer because the Government made it too complicated, convoluted and almost impossible for small businesses to access. If a business looks on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's website, it will see that retail and hospitality are covered. However, if one clicks on the frequently asked questions, FAQs, it states that retail, hospitality and beauty are covered. I can confirm, in case the Tánaiste is not aware, that those who are working in the hair and beauty industry are struggling every bit as much with the escalating costs of energy, doing business, and so on.

The closing date is tomorrow. I ask that the confusion be cleared up and that a straightforward, streamlined way for struggling businesses to access this much-needed money be provided. I have spoken to accountants and business owners. They tell me they are confused. They will say that it is almost like the Government does not want them to access this money. It is exactly what happened with the increased cost of business, ICOB, scheme, where €1.4 billion was allocated and €1.1 billion was returned to the Exchequer because it simply could not be accessed. It is not the case that businesses do not need the money. They very much do but it seems like the Government is putting barriers and confusion in their way. Given that the closing date is tomorrow, I ask for this to be cleared up and for there to be an extensive campaign to let people know how they can access this grant.

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