Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the engagement his Department has had with a representative association (details supplied) regarding the Covid restriction support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43686/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The pandemic has caused untold damage to people's lives and livelihoods. I know that too many businesses have been severely impacted by the restrictions needed to ensure public health safety during the pandemic. Our response to COVID-19 will continue to assist those businesses affected.

Budget 2021 provided a significant additional package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. As part of Budget 2021, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was introduced and is operational through the Revenue Commissioners offering a targeted, timely and temporary financial aid to businesses forced to close or trade at significantly reduced levels due to COVID-19. This can be up to €5,000 per week.

A regularly updated listing of enterprise measures for affected businesses is available on my Department’s website.

A meeting between my colleague Minister Damien English T.D., Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail and representatives from IAAT (Irish Association of Adventure Tourism) is scheduled to take place today, Thursday 17^th.

My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, has lead responsibility for tourism and may be able to provide more specific details on supports for the tourism sector.

I recognise the issue raised by the Deputy regarding businesses that might not be eligible for the CRSS or other measures announced in the budget, such as the €50 million fund for live entertainment. I have asked my officials to conduct work with officials from other relevant Departments regarding how many businesses might be in this position and to report back to me with proposals.