Written answers

Thursday, 9 December 2021

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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178. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors that have been negatively affected by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61067/21]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, business continuity and trading online grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, commercial rates waivers and warehousing of tax liabilities. Details of the supports can be found on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).

On 3rdDecember the Government agreed additional public health measures to help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are very aware that specific sectors will be particularly impacted by these measures and that supports are needed to help many in these areas.

This is why there will be a limited re-opening of the Pandemic Employment Payment (PUP) to help those workers who may lose their jobs as a direct result of the introduction of the new restrictions.

A further extension of the current targeted commercial rates waiver for the first quarter of 2022 has been agreed for businesses in rateable premises. This will be put in place at an additional cost of approximately €62.3 million.

Furthermore, additional financial supports from the Department of Finance will be announced imminently and will provide timely assistance to those sectors affected by the recent necessary public health measures.

I would urge businesses to ensure that they are aware of what is available to them and apply for the appropriate schemes. It is important to note that all business supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.

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