Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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40. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when eligible businesses can apply for the Covid-19 business aid scheme. [11718/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As you are aware, I recently announced a new €60m Scheme, called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS), that is being developed to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes and is designed to help with fixed costs. Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers and events companies down 75% or more in turnover and who are in receipts of a rates bill can benefit.

Details of the scheme are currently being finalised and I expect to announce shortly that the Local Authorities will begin taking applications this month.

I am committed to helping businesses respond to the economic challenges arising from the pandemic with a particular focus on firms that do not qualify for the weekly CRSS grant from the Revenue Commissioners or existing sectoral schemes in areas such as the arts, transport and tourism.

While the CBAS grant is modest it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs like rent, utilities and security.

As it is an ever changing situation, I want to assure you that I and my colleagues across Government will continue to keep the range of supports under review.