Written answers

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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130. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in Sligo and Leitrim county councils; the amount of funding allocated to each authority; the number of businesses in the counties that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20799/20]

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; Sligo County Council has received 632 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 614 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €3,007,469 allocated by this Department.

Leitrim County Council has received 373 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 334 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €1,429,630 allocated by this Department.

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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131. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in County Kerry; the amount of funding allocated to the authority; the number of businesses in the county that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20845/20]

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; Kerry County Council has received 1,931 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 1,474 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €7,483,917 allocated by this Department.

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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132. 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 County Kerry; 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. [20847/20]

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 23rd the 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.  Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at: .

The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Kerry under the various schemes.

Tables of uptake:

Scheme Number of firms / applications Number Processed to date Number of successful applicants Amount allocated Amount Requested
Online Retail Scheme 18 N/A 10 €381,203 N/A
Business Financial Planning 18 N/A 17 €84,248 N/A
Lean Business Continuity Voucher 10 N/A 9 €22,500 N/A
Sustaining Enterprise Fund 2 N/A 1 €500,000 N/A
Sustaining Enterprise Fund – Small Enterprise 1 N/A 0 €0 N/A
Restart Grant 1931 1856 1474 €7,483,917 €6,184,801
SBCI- COVID-19 WCS N/A 99 31 €3,115,000 Not available
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan 46 Not available 23 €625,000 Not available
Emergency Business Solutions 1 1 0 €0 €0
Business Continuity Vouchers 291 252 190 €168,674 Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500
Trading Online Vouchers 240 101* 139** €325,666

*Applications currently being processed with clients

**Processed and final approval communicated to clients

The Local Enterprise Office in Kerry submitted 27 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 95 participants and Training Support to 950 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.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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133. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the method by which grants will be calculated for businesses qualifying for the enhanced restart grant scheme. [20862/20]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated number of businesses that will qualify for the enhanced restart grant scheme; the quantum of grant it is estimated they will receive disaggregated by grant amount in intervals of €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20863/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.

On 23rdJuly 2020 I announced that in order to further support enterprises as the economy reopens and resumes activity, further grant funding of €300m will be provided to businesses through an enhanced Restart Grant.

The additional €300m being provided in the stimulus package will allow further categories of businesses to benefit in that businesses impacted by a 25% reduction in turnover due to COVID-19 restrictions or downturn in trade will be eligible provided they commit to reopening and to hiring and sustaining employment.

The grant will be based on the amount of the rates assessment for the premises for 2019 (excluding arrears) with a new minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum grant of €25,000 (Increased from €2,000 min and €10,000 max).

Eligible firms include medium sized firms with up to 250 employees, as well as small firms (increased from 50 employees) with a turnover of up to €25m, and turnover of less than €100k per employee, increased from turnover limit of €5m. Therefore, a business with 50 employees and €5m turnover, 100 employees and less than €10m turnover, and so on with a business with 250 employees having a max. of less than €25m turnover are eligible.

Commercial trading businesses that paid rates and were previously excluded on the basis that they were eligible for other government schemes will also now be eligible for the Restart Grant. This will enable commercial sports businesses, trading charity shops, creches and GP surgeries to apply for the minimum €4,000 grant.

B&Bs in non-rated premises will be eligible to apply for the minimum €4,000 grant from Fáilte Ireland. The hospitality sector, restaurants, pubs, activity centres and tourist attractions, e.g., galleries, museums are eligible if they are operating from a rated premise.

The funding allocated to the enhanced scheme is based on an estimate of the total number of previously excluded businesses who are now eligible to apply once they meet the criteria under the new rules. It is not possible at this moment in time to provide the detailed breakdowns which the Deputy seeks.

Application forms for the enhanced scheme will be available from the 31 Local Authorities, with more details to be announced in the coming days.

Photo of Violet-Anne WynneViolet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in County Clare; the funding allocated to the authority; the number of businesses in County Clare that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20902/20]

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; Clare County Council has received 1,239 applications made to the scheme in total. Of this amount, 998 businesses have been approved for funding from the initial funding tranche of €5,638,513 allocated by this Department.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of the €10 million restart fund for the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20970/20]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As part of the July Stimulus, we announced a significant expansion of the Restart Grant scheme.  One specific objective in doing so was to offer better supports to the tourism sector.   The total amount of extra funding allocated to the scheme is €300m and I will announcing further details in the coming days.

As part of the July Stimulus my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, has recently announced an additional €10m Restart Fund for the Tourism sector to help cover the costs of adapting their premises to meet public health requirements.

Photo of Patricia RyanPatricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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137. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund for micro and small businesses in the Kildare County Council area; the amount of funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number businesses in County Kildare that have received funding under the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21017/20]

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.

Kildare County Council has to date received the sum of €6,678,602 in an initial funding tranche from this Department.

As of 24 July 2020, Kildare County Council has received a total of 1,284 applications from businesses seeking Restart Grant funding.

Of this amount, 1,046 businesses have been approved and have received funding.

Photo of Patricia RyanPatricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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138. 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 County Kildare; the number of these that have been processed to date; the number that have been successful; the amount that has been allocated to these businesses; the amount that was sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21019/20]

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. Further details on the July Jobs Stimulus are available at:

The Table below sets out the number of applications for supports received from businesses in County Kildare under the various schemes.

Tables of uptake:

Scheme Number of firms / applications Number Processed to date Number of successful applicants Amount allocated Amount Sought
Sustaining Enterprise Fund - Small Enterprise 1 application received N/A 1 approval €50,000 N/A
COVID-19 Business Financial Planning Grant 11 applications received N/A 11 approvals €53,598 N/A
Lean Business Continuity Support 6 applications received N/A 6 approvals €15,000 N/A
COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme 8 applications received N/A 1 approval €16,188 N/A
Restart Grant- Kildare County Council 1284 960 1046 €6,678,602 €4,800,750
SBCI- COVID-19 WCS N/A 127 23 € 3,140,963 Not available
Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan 55 Figure not available 36 €955,000 Not available
E-merge 7 7 6 €16,800 €16,800
Emergency Business Solutions 6 6 6 €11,250 €11,250
Business Continuity Vouchers 724 700 560 €1,400,000 Clients applied for a BCV and applications were assessed and approved up to a max. amount of €2,500
Trading Online Vouchers 276 67* 209** €486,318

*Applications/clients currently being processed

**Processed and final approval communicated to clients

The Local Enterprise Office in Kildare submitted 15 Micro Finance applications and also provided Covid-19 related Mentoring Support to 456 participants and Training Support to 1,898 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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