Written answers

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Cormac DevlinCormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are in place to assist the events and exhibition industry given the re-allocation of large event space over the coming months and given that the industry has yet to recover or fully re-open after the severe impact of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23870/22]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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There have been a wide range of measures taken by government to provide support for business during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports include access to appropriate and affordable finance, and the Government, working with agencies, the banking sector and alternative finance providers offers additional targeted supports where there are market failures. Further information can be found on my Department’s website at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/access-to-finance/.

The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme makes €2 billion in lending available for working capital and investment purposes, the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme makes up to €330 million in lending available to Brexit impacted SMEs and the Future Growth Loan Scheme provides for €800 million in lending to SMEs for support strategic investment purpose.

In March 2021, I launched the Local Enterprise Office “Green for Micro” programme which offers green transition advice and technical support to a wide range of micro-enterprises with 10 or fewer employees, including those operating in the hospitality sector. This support is free of charge for eligible enterprises and represents the potential for increased efficiencies within companies that adopt these principles.

The Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVs) offers a voucher of up to €2,500 to help businesses develop their online trading capability, including training sessions. Funding can be used towards adding payment facilities or booking systems to their website or developing new apps for their customers. The Scheme is open to a broad base of businesses with fewer than 10 employees, including those operating in the hospitality sector.

The recently launched Climate Toolkit 4 Business is an important resource for SMEs and micro enterprises. The Toolkit directs users to advice, grants and other resources available from the LEOs, EI, SEAI, Irish Water, EPA, IDA and others.

In relation to supports for the events and exhibition sector the Government and my colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media responded to the COVID-19 crisis by establishing a Tourism Recovery Taskforce and Recovery Oversight Group, the introduction of business continuity supports, the Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS) And the ESCSS Phase 2 as well as a range of horizontal measures to support tourism businesses survive the pandemic and reopen in a safe and sustainable manner.

Further funding will also be invested in domestic marketing and festivals, the Digital that Delivers investment programme, skills development and staff retention and tourism product development (for the delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030). For further information on supports for this sector I would refer you to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

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