Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Tipperary 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. [43808/21]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I recognise the sacrifices business owners, employees and their families have made over the past 18 months in order to protect their community from COVID-19.

The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 (SBASC) is part of the Government's 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. While thousands of businesses have benefitted from our schemes, there were a small number operating from non-rated business and home offices that had fixed costs and that were viable and could be positioned to reopen. That is why I engaged with officials in my Department and with my Government colleagues to develop the SBASC grants.

The total number of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) applications for County Tipperary is 263 and 160 have been approved for payment by Tipperary County Council.  

A number of applicants were unsuccessful with the applications, in the main due to the fact they either did not meet the reduction in turnover turnover criteria, had 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 Government 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 the Tipperary Local Enterprises Offices which offers advice and guidance in relation to the supports available to businesses.