Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the reason phase one of the restart grant scheme which was advertised nationwide to run until 31 August 2020 was subsequently changed and a closure date of 22 July 2020 applied (details supplied) consequently meaning countless businesses which had applied or awaiting to apply had lost out on grants; if he was responsible for the changing of the date; and the reason the decision was taken. [25257/20]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment when the appeals process, established due to the changing of the date for applications of phase one of the restart grant scheme, will conclude; the amount that has been set aside for successful appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25258/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.

As previously communicated to the Deputy via written correspondence, the Government decided to introduce a new grant scheme; i.e. the Restart Grant Plus scheme with higher grant levels, to the benefit of a much larger group of businesses.

It was therefore decided to end the original Restart Grant scheme to allow for the enhanced scheme. It did not make sense to run two similar schemes, with different criteria and grant levels, as it would only cause confusion for applicants and those administering the scheme alike.

Any business that feels it would have been eligible for the original scheme, but for genuine reasons was not in a position to apply before its closure, may appeal to its Local Authority. Funding for grants paid following appeal will be met from the €550m provided for the Restart scheme. Appeals can continue to be made while the Restart Plus Grant scheme remains open.