Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As outlined, my Department is actively working with local authorities and the LGMA to finalise the details of the appeals process. This process will allow businesses that were misclassified to have their cases reviewed and, where appropriate, be given access to the supports. This is a priority for the Department. We want to ensure that we do everything possible to commence the appeals process without delay. We need to get it right, and we are finalising matters with the local authorities. We will contact eligible businesses in that regard.

Under the first phase of ICOB, over 75,000 SMEs registered and were given a flat payment. Under the second phase, 39,000 were eligible. We need to determine how many of those who were deemed ineligible were actually eligible. That work is currently being undertaken. This Government recognises the vital role that SMEs play within local economies, towns and villages. I am sure that Deputy Healy-Rae has been a big advocate for the SMEs in Kerry. We want to ensure that we can alleviate some of the significant pressures they are under. That is the importance of ensuring that SMEs get a cash injection. We placed a particular focus on the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors because they were the most impacted. A paper commissioned by the Department detailed rising operational costs and identified that the greatest cumulative burden fell on those sectors in terms of cost changes and regulatory burdens. The Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that there is a speedy process put in place to deliver for those businesses who need it most.

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