Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Cork that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; the number of same that have received funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43957/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. These business supports were unprecedented.

The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for Cork are broken down between the two Local Authorities, Cork County and Cork City.

The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Cork is 474, of which 333 have been approved for payment.

The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for Cork City is 484, of that figure 274 have been approved for payment.

The main reasons why businesses may not have been approved for funding include that turnover was above the eligibility criteria, incomplete application forms 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.

The Governments comprehensive business support package included 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.

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 in Cork who offer advice and guidance in relation to the supports available to businesses.