Written answers

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in counties Meath and Westmeath by local authority; the amount allocated by authority; the number of businesses in the counties by local authority that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20712/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Restart Grant scheme is just one part of the wider suite of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.

This package is a significant step-up in assistance available for all businesses in all sectors at this very 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.

In response to the information requested and as of 24 July 2020; Meath County Council has received 1,341 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 1,205 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €6,201,184 allocated by this Department.

Westmeath County Council has received 919 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 826 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €4,135,434 allocated by this Department.

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for supports under the various schemes for businesses impacted by Covid-19 that have been received from businesses in counties Meath and Westmeath by local authority; the number that have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the amount allocated to the businesses; the amount sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20714/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government previously introduced a 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 COVID-19 supports for business are available at: 

On July 23rdthe Government announced the July Jobs Stimulus, a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19.  The priority of the Government remains the wellbeing of our people and communities. We are now increasing our focus on business and on getting as many people as possible back to work.  Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at:

The Tables below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Meath and County Westmeath under the various schemes.

Tables of uptake: Meath

Scheme Number of firms / applications Number Processed to date Number of successful applicants Amount allocated Amount Requested
Business Financial Planning 21 N/A 20 €99,250 N/A
Lean Business Continuity Voucher 15 N/A 15 €37,500 N/A
Sustaining Enterprise Fund 1 N/A 1 €250,000 N/A
Sustaining Enterprise Fund – Small Enterprise <5 N/A 0 €0 N/A
Online Retail Scheme 10 N/A 3 €112,216 N/A
Restart Grant 1341 1287 1205 €6,201,184 €4,801,086
SBCI COVID-19 WCS N/A 93 23 €3,020,000 Not available
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan 32 Not available 16 €374,000 Not available
E-merge 5 3 3 €8,400 €8,400
Emergency Business Solutions 5 5 4 €9,000 €9,000
Business Continuity Vouchers 576 516 448 €1,012,013 Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500
Trading Online Vouchers 354 131* 223** €532,943 N/A

*Applications currently being processed with clients

**Processed and final approval communicated to clients

Tables of uptake: Westmeath

Scheme Number of firms / applications Number Processed to date Number of successful applicants Amount allocated Amount Requested
Online Retail Scheme 10 N/A 7 €256,370 N/A
Business Financial Planning 10 N/A 10 €49,793 N/A
Lean Business Continuity Voucher <5 N/A 4 €10,000 N/A
Restart Grant 919 898 826 €4,135,434 €2,887,778
SBCI COVID-19 WCS N/A 40 7 €985,000 Not available
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan 25 Not available 18 €357,000 Not available
E-merge 1 0 0 €0 €0
Emergency Business Solutions 1 1 0 €0 €0
Business Continuity Vouchers 552 472 424 €959,184 Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500
Trading Online Vouchers 177 33* 144** €338,191 N/A

*Applications currently being processed with clients

**Processed and final approval communicated to clients

The Local Enterprise Office in Meath submitted 14 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 76 participants and Training Support to 780 participants.

The Local Enterprise Office in Westmeath submitted 16 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 199 participants and Training Support to 1116 participants.

Later this year the Government will set out a National Economic Plan, to chart a long term, jobs-led recovery. It will set out how we secure our public finances in a world where we must live with Covid-19, while driving efforts to decarbonise our economy and prepare for the next phase of technological transformation.

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