Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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205. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many SMEs and microenterprises are excluded from the support provided by the small business assistance scheme for Covid, given that they are not listed as ratepayers; if recourse will be provided for those that cannot access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17597/21]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the difficulties that business owners continue to face and with that 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), Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.

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 and they can signpost and advise of supports that maybe available.

The SBASC scheme you refer to does have a payment of rates eligibility requirement for the premises. The intention behind this provision is to assist businesses operating from fixed premises to meet some of the ongoing fixed costs of maintaining those premises.

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, rather than providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.

I want to assure you, however, that I am in consultation with business sectors and am aware of their concerns and I and my colleagues across Government are continuing to keep the range of measures under review.

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