Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason a business (details supplied) had an application refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37003/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises that both the travel industry, and businesses connected with it like the one to which the deputy refers, have been very badly effected by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

As you know, 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. The level of business supports is unprecedented.

Earlier this year, the Government introduced a Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), with the aim 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 2nd phase of this scheme was amended to take into account businesses who were not eligible to apply for Phase 1. An expanded SBASC is now open for applications through the local authority with a closing date of 21st July.

Phase 2 has been expanded to include businesses working from a non rateable premises and those whose turnover is below €50,000.

Businesses who are working from non rateable premises and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive a €4,000 grant and businesses whose turnover is below €50,000 and meet all other eligibility criteria will receive €1,000 grant. The purpose of these grants are to help meet fixed costs associated with running a business.

The business referred to may be eligible for this scheme and further details including the application form are available on Local Authority websites.