Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. The deadline for the increased cost of business, ICOB, grant is coming up on midnight next Wednesday. It is wonderful that the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, and Government have decided to extend this grant but I want to ask that all local authorities - the ones that manage the rates' payments - are ensuring that a reminder is issued. Businesses need to receive a letter. If they have not already applied, that letter should be sent out again to businesses. It does not have to be by post, it could be by email.The letter header or email should state the customer ID number and the PIN code the business needs to get the details to apply for the ICOB grant.

Although it is a simple process, as it is not an application as such, when businesses are uploading it, they need to upload a bank statement from within the previous three months. Seemingly, this is a strict requirement. I encourage businesses, individuals and enterprises that are applying for this fund to take a photograph of a bank statement, with the IBAN and BIC numbers, and upload it against their application form. This issue is creating queries to us.

A substantial amount of funding has been paid out under the ICOB grant. The fund is there to benefit businesses. More than €250 million has been allocated to the ICOB scheme. If there are businesses that have not yet applied, there is an onus on us to ensure they receive a reminder and engagement from the rates offices at our local authorities, many of which are doing a great job.

I have done a lot of work in my area in Roscommon and east Galway around the green for business programme, under which businesses can apply for a free energy audit. Arising from whatever recommendation is made, the business can apply for an energy efficiency grant of up to €10,000 for lights, heating, a new fridge and so forth. The limit was previously set at €5,000. Galway County Council’s local enterprise office told me that increased numbers of applications have come in from Ballinasloe in east Galway. While I am delighted to see that, we need to see more. I reiterate that the deadline is midnight on Wednesday, 29 May.