Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment if he will address queries raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the restart grant plus scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41890/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Restart Grant Plus was introduced as part of the response to the effects on business of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The Scheme has been operated by the 31 Local Authorities on behalf of my Department, and closed to new applications on 31 October 2020. It was effectively replaced as part of Budget 2021 with the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners.

The Restart Grant Plus Scheme has been made available to a wide range of businesses and delivered in exceptionally challenging circumstances. All applications have been considered in line with clearly established eligibility criteria by the relevant officials, aiming to put this enterprise measure in place for as many eligible businesses as possible, and an appeals mechanism is in place with each Local Authority on foot of decisions made in processing and finalising grants. My Department does not have a role in individual applications and where an appeal process is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further. However, I can confirm that I received correspondence from the organisation in question and the matter is currently under consideration.