Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of self-employed persons who have benefited from the enterprise support grant to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39719/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is available to eligible self-employed recipients who close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment, or PUP, and who are re-starting their business. A once-off grant of up to €1,000 is available under this measure to assist with costs associated with re-starting their business. Costs could include safety measures including the purchase of equipment including signage and personal protective equipment or vehicle running costs.

This grant is available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including, employing fewer than 10 people, having an annual turnover of less than €1 million and not being liable for commercial rates. This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.

Approximately 7,400 applications have been approved since the introduction of this grant, with funding of approximately €7 million already paid. A budget of €12 million is provided for the grant in 2020, with an additional €12m available for 2021. The extension of the grant to 2021 ensures support will remain available to qualified self-employed individuals who close their PUP into the new year.

Detailed information about this grant including the applicant form is available on the Gov.ie website.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.