John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the Sustaining Enterprise and Accelerated Recovery Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43830/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 outbreak resulted in a serious downturn in the Irish, EU and wider global economy. In response to this, Government introduced measures to assist impacted business. With the assistance of these measures, in 2020, a large number of Covid-19 impacted companies were sustained.

Now, as we cautiously emerge from these necessary public health restrictions and global markets begin to open up again, the Government will continue to help businesses in their next phase of recovery and adaptation.

In August 2021, the Tánaiste announced the launch of €51 million in funding, under the new Sustaining Enterprise and Accelerated Recovery Fund. This fund has two objectives, the first is to sustain enterprise through the provision of liquidity measures thereby assisting companies whose end markets continue to be impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. This offer is an extension of the Sustaining Enterprise Fund or SEF which was administered by our Agency, Enterprise Ireland (EI), on behalf of Government in 2020 and during the first half of 2021 and reflects the recovery needs of business as public health restrictions are lifted and business reopens. Under the SEF, €188 million was approved to 700 companies helping maintain over 28,850 jobs.

The second objective of the fund is to assist companies to make an Accelerated Recovery plan which embraces both digital and climate change transformation which is in line with Government policy and essential for the economic activity of companies after the impact of Covid-19. This also encompasses  a Digitalisation Voucher to assist the development of a digitalisation plan.

Full details of the fund and eligibility can be found on the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/recover.

My Department working with Enterprise Ireland are currently promoting this new offer and is working with companies on funding applications.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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77. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider additional supports for indoor leisure businesses that have had to remain closed but due to the size of their premises have borne significant overheads for rent, mortgages and utilities to keep their business intact during the pandemic. [43476/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government have provided a significant package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic.

Under the new Economic Recovery Plan, a stimulus to fuel the economy of €4 billion was announced, this is intended to aid businesses and the economy to recover and rebuild.

The Plan outlined changes to several of the current financial supports, the EWSS is extended until the end of 2021, the commercial rates waiver will continue until 30 September 2021, the 9% VAT rate was extended until the 1 September 2022, tax debt warehousing scheme is extended until the end of the year and will be interest free in 2022 and the CRSS will remain in place for businesses that have to stay closed.

The new Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) supports businesses that were substantially impacted during the pandemic even during periods when restrictions were eased. This support with a maximum payment of up to €15,000, is available to businesses that can demonstrate a significant reduction in trade. The scheme is administered by Revenue with eligible businesses making a claim for an Advance Credit for Trading Expense (ACTE). The BRSS is now open for registration on the Revenue Online Service (ROS). I would urge businesses to ensure that they are aware of what supports are available to them.

I remain committed to working with my colleagues across Government to assist businesses and to address suitable enterprise measures in the context of the challenges presented by COVID-19 to our economy and our people.

I would also urge businesses to contact their Local Enterprise Offices for advice on other non-financial services such as mentoring or online courses that may be available to them.