Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the sacrifices business owners, employees and their families have made over the past 18 months in order to protect their community from COVID-19.As you are aware, the Government put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic.

The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 (SBASC), which is administered by the 31 local authorities in every county is one par of the Government's comprehensive business support package 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. These business supports were unprecedented.

The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Longford is 110.Of that figure 56 have been approved for payment. 54 applications have been refused.

In relation to County Westmeath, the total number of SBASC applications is 199. Of that figure 128 have been approved and 71 have been refused.

Refusals have occurred due to eligibility requirements such as businesses not meeting the turnover criteria, turnover was not down 75% during the eligibility period, incomplete application form or the business was in receipt of CRSS or another sectoral scheme.

The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) is now closed and eligible business can now apply for the Government's new Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS).

My colleague, the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD on 6^thSeptember last announced the launch of the BRSS as a new support scheme for businesses with reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions, with a maximum payment of €15,000. The BRSS is a general scheme and is open to any businesses whose turnover remains impacted as a result of public health restrictions. Businesses who previously availed of other schemes such and SBASC, the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme and CRSS will be eligible to apply provided they meet the qualifying criteria.

Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at .

I would also encourage business owners to talk to their Local Enterprises Offices who offer advice and guidance in relation to the supports available to businesses.