Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As you will be aware that, as part of Budget 2024, the Government signed off on a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses.

Local Authorities, funded through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are administering the grant to qualifying businesses on behalf of the Department.

Local Authorities have written to all rate paying businesses with details of how to register for the grant and it is a very simple process for businesses to verify their details through an online portal.

The grant has been open for registrations since 14 March. The closing date for registrations for the ICOB grant is 1 May 2024. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant as soon as they receive a letter from their Local Authority. The sooner a business registers the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out. Payments will be made to eligible businesses in the coming weeks.

In relation to the uptake of the scheme for the counties referred to in the question, the latest figures as at Tuesday 16th April are as follows:

Cavan has 325 registrations which is 15% of businesses notified

Monaghan has 569 registrations which is 30% of businesses notified

Donegal has 926 registrations which is 22% of businesses notified

Leitrim has 232 registrations which is 26% of businesses notified

Sligo has 437 registrations which is 30% of businesses notified

Roscommon has 540 registrations which is 27% of businesses notified

Mayo has 1169 registrations which is 28% of businesses notified

Galway City has 983 registrations which is 31% of businesses notified

Galway County has 941 registrations which is 35% of businesses notified