Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the turnover criteria in relation to funding for small business through the small business assistance scheme for Covid, given that applicants are required to have a minimum turnover of €50,000 for each rateable premises; his views on whether many small businesses that are looking to avail of these supports from the scheme will not be able to fulfil this minimum turnover criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17026/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As you are aware, 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), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.

You will also know that 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.

In relation to the most recent scheme I announced, the Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC), the aim of which is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs.

In relation to the eligibility requirement of €50,000 turnover, it is important to remember that this scheme has been introduced to meet the unavoidable costs that businesses operating from a fixed premises incur whether they are open or not. Analysis carried out for similar schemes has shown that where annual turnover is less than €50,000, then it is likely that most costs will be payroll based. As you know, Government already provides subsidies or other income supports in the form of the EWSS and the PUP.

While there will undoubtedly be exceptions, it is probable that at these lower levels of turnover, the ongoing costs will generally not impact on the business’s potential to re-open as and when restrictions ease.

I would urge business owners to seek the supports available. 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.

It is important to note that I along with my Government colleagues are continuing to keep government business schemes under review.