Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the first payments under the increased cost of business grant will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As you will be aware, 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 scheme has been open for registrations since 14 March. The closing date 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. Local Authorities will begin to send payments to eligible businesses from Monday next 22 April.