Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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107. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to an issue affecting some businesses affiliated to an organisation with regard to the tourism business continuity fund scheme administered by Fáilte Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9045/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am advised by the Minister for Finance that the support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with COVID-19 Plan.

Where a business is eligible to make a claim under the CRSS, a claim may be made through the Revenue Online System (ROS). A claim may be made through ROS up to eight weeks from the date on which a claim period commences, which in most cases will be the first day on which the Covid restrictions apply to the business concerned. Where Covid restrictions continue to apply to the business, a new claim is required every three weeks.

Fáilte Ireland recently launched The Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (TBCS) to provide support for tourism businesses which have not received COVID-19 support from other schemes. Businesses which are eligible for the CRSS at any level of restrictions or for any portion of their business are not eligible for the TBCS. I should also point out that businesses eligible for the Fáilte Ireland Coach Tourism Business Continuity or the Ireland Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme are not eligible to apply for the TBCS.

While I and the Minister for Finance are keen to avoid a situation whereby businesses can seek to "double up" on grant schemes, the Deputy has raised an important issue and my officials will consider the matter further in conjunction with the Department of Finance and Fáilte Ireland.

I should also point out that the TBCS eligibility does not mean an entitlement to funding, which is at the sole discretion of Fáilte Ireland, rather it means eligibility to make an application for grant funding.