Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will address the issue of the allocation of restart grants by local authorities due to insufficient funding which prevents them from allocating funding to companies outside of phases 1 and 2 under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business even if the application has been successfully processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13982/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Eligible businesses which had stayed open throughout the crisis, as well as those which were reopening under Phase 1 (from 18th May) and Phase 2 (8th June) of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business are encouraged to apply for the Restart Grant.

As the Deputy will be aware, the acceleration of the Roadmap lead to a further number of businesses allowed to reopen in advance of what was initially anticipated and there is no longer a need for prioritisation of applications in line with reopening dates. Accordingly, all eligible businesses are invited to apply for the grant.

Regarding the funding of the scheme, I am satisfied, based on original estimates provided through the Local Authorities, that the Scheme is sufficiently funded.

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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22. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if support will be provided to the publican sector with regard to the issue of loss of stock due to its perishable nature as a result of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has introduced a €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs. Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at:

This package is a significant step-up in the supports available for all businesses in all sectors at this difficult time. The measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.

On the June 25th it was announced that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Enterprise Support Grant would be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. This will provide business owners with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. A fund of €12m has been allocated for the extension of this grant. The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants.

As an immediate step I would encourage all pub owners to apply for the Government's Restart Grant, which is available through all local authorities. Grants of between €2,000 to €10,000 are available based on a simple online application form and funds are being transferred electronically directly to businesses.

In addition, there are a number of loan schemes which have been put in place to assist all businesses. The Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme open to eligible SMEs and small mid-caps (businesses of up to 499 employees) is operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is supported by the InnovFin SME Guarantee facility.

The Future Growth Loan Scheme open to eligible SMEs and small mid-caps currently makes loans available with a term of 8-10 years and is operated by (SBCI) through participating lenders.

The new €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme to aid SMEs is a further development of the existing Credit Guarantee Scheme already available. The Scheme will be available to all SME sectors. The implementation of this Scheme will require primary legislation, the drafting of which has commenced.

Any eligible business, including the self-employed, can apply for the following supports. The most appropriate support will depend on the characteristics of the business.

- MicroFinance Ireland can provide loans of up to €50,000 as an immediate measure to specifically deal with exceptional circumstances that micro-enterprises – (any business, Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company with less than 10 full time employees and annual turnover of up to €2m) are facing.

- Local Enterprise Offices have moved training programmes, workshops and networking meet-ups online, covering areas such as cash management in a crisis, leading your business through COVID-19 and advice for employers impacted by the crisis. Training programmes are free of charge and places can be booked online, through your Local Enterprise Office.

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 422 of 16 June 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not all tradespersons continued to operate as a result of Covid-19; if such persons can apply for the restart grant in view of the fact they are returning to their work the same as the self-employed and businesses that pay rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13986/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Restart Grant support is just one part of the wider €12bn package of supports for commercial firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help those businesses to continue trading and to maintain employment.

This package is a significant step-up in the supports available for all businesses in all sectors at this very difficult time and the measures have been developed to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise. They are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need and are targeted at vulnerable but viable companies.

Specifically with regard to tradespersons who do not operate from rateable premises and are thus ineligible for the Restart Grant, I wish to advise the deputy on June 25th it was announced that the Department of Social Protection’s Enterprise Support Grant will be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. A fund of €12m has been allocated for the extension of this grant.

The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants.

All Covid 19 business supports and Schemes are under constant review in terms of the evolving situation and will be adapted as circumstances dictate, including adaptations to the phased opening of our economy.In that regard, I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with my colleagues across Government and all stakeholders to examine further appropriate supports to assist businesses impacted by Covid-19. Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable under the EU’s state aid framework.Any suggestions the Deputy has in this regard would be welcomed.

Full details on all COVID19 supports for business are available at: /

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider a proposal by a person (details supplied) on businesses which are ineligible for grants but may play a key role in the restart of local SMEs going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14014/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Restart Grant is just one part of a wider assistance package for business and for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.Within the funding available, the priority has been to assist those who have suffered most, including closure of the business, but whom will still have incurred ongoing costs.

As the publisher referred to seems to be a sole trader, then perhaps the Government’s Enterprise Support Grant announced on 25th June may be more suitable to help reinvigorate this business. The Enterprise Support Grant will be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants.

Many businesses are reluctant to take on debt at this uncertain time, but any business (Sole Trader, Partnership or Limited Company) with less than 10 full time employees and annual turnover of up to €2m may apply to Microfinance Ireland for funding from €5,000 – €50,000 where the business is not in a position to avail of finance from Banks and other commercial lending providers. The loan incurs 0% interest for the first six months and no repayments. Thereafter a reduced interest rate of 4.5% APR applies to loans applied for through the Local Enterprise Office and this may provide them with the necessary capital injection to help them recover, while the surrounding businesses that provide the bulk of their revenue continue to find their feet.

All Covid19 business Schemes are under constant review in terms of the evolving situation and will be adapted as circumstances dictate, including adaptations to the phased opening of our economy. Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable under the EU’s state aid framework.

Any SME should speak to representatives from their Local Enterprise Office to discuss what assistance and guidance they can offer, noting that the Local Enterprise Offices do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.

Full details on all COVID19 measures for business are available at:

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