Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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179. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider extending the start-up grant to include businesses that have a turnover of less than €50,000; and if he will consider a smaller threshold or second tier of funding to take into account businesses that would not reach this turnover threshold. [26180/21]

Damien English (Meath 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.

You are correct that some businesses may not be eligible for some schemes due to eligibility requirement of €50,000 turnover. 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. 

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.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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180. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports, grants or schemes that are available to micro, small and medium enterprises such as a company (details supplied) that have been excluded due to non-eligibility for the Covid restrictions support scheme and the Fáilte Ireland schemes; his views on whether there are businesses such as this that were missed in the current schemes and that should be supported; if he will devise or recommend a scheme that could support such businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26328/21]

Damien English (Meath 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.

The Government also announced a Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (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. 

The first phase of this scheme has now closed to applications, however, local authorities will be accepting applications for a second phase which will open in the coming weeks.The business you refer to may be eligible for this scheme if they meet the eligibility requirements which will be announced shortly.

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.