Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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130. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if small businesses whose annual turnover is under €50,000 will be allowed to qualify for the small business assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the ongoing difficulties facing businesses over the past year. It has been a difficult time for business owners, employees and their families. 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), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.

Budget 2021 also 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.

All business owners should ensure they know what they are entitled to and I would encourage businesses owners in particular small businesses owners in which you refer to, to talk to their Local Enterprise office who can signpost them to all Government supports available to them.

In relation to the eligibility requirement of €50,000 turnover, these schemes are being 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 and the Government is providing subsidies or other income supports in the form of the EWSS and the PUP.

Small businesses are crucial to our economy and the Government continues to keep all schemes under review.