Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic have illustrated just how vital an online trading presence can be to the survival of our SMEs and microenterprises.  Those businesses that have embraced the digital marketplace are now reaping the rewards.

The Trading Online Voucher scheme, administered, on behalf on my Department, by the Local Enterprise Office network aims to assist our micro-enterprises to realise the potential of online trading. This Scheme offers eligible micro-enterprises a voucher of up to €2,500 (50% co-funded by the recipient) to help them develop their online capacity. This includes training sessions that cover various topics, such as developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.

The COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, administered by Enterprise Ireland through funding provided by my Department, is helping indigenous Irish retailers enhance their digital capability and to build a more resilient business for both the domestic and global marketplace. 

Companies whether trading on-line or not have access to all of the COVID-19 business Schemes once the relevant eligibility criteria are fulfilled. 

I recently announced the new Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID.  This scheme is now open for applications through Local Authorities and will provide a €4,000 grant for businesses for the first quarter of this year.  Closing date for Local Authorities to receive applications is 21^stApril, 2021.  A decision on the second quarter of this year will be made in due course.  

The Government has introduced a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. 

I would urge business owner to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest that a business owner should contact their Local Enterprise Office and they can signpost and advise on supports that maybe available.

The schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week.  They are not created to provide compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.

Full details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at .

I want to assure you that I and my colleagues across Government will continue to keep the range of measures under review.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the difficulties that the necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on businesses right across the country. 

With this in mind the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. Details of the wide range of supports available are on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie)

Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.

I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.

The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help businesses further. However, our schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. We are not providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.