David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the supports, if any, available to refurbish vacant or derelict properties to use for retail or business purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18584/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department does not provide any specific grants or supports to businesses for the refurbishment of vacant or derelict properties.

I understand that several Local Authorities do offer a range of grants to businesses to encourage them to occupy vacant commercial premises within their local authority area.

On the topic of vacant property more generally, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has convened a Working Group on the Redevelopment of Vacant Commercial Properties, which includes my Department. The objective of the group is to assess and make recommendations on the potential for the development of vacant commercial properties for housing.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses, broken down by every local authority area in the State, that have registered for the increased cost of business grant to date. [18587/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 grant has been open for registrations since 14 March. Local Authorities will begin to send payments to eligible businesses this week. The closing date for registrations for the ICOB grant is 1 May 2024. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant before the closing date of 1 May.

The following is the situation in relation to uptake of the scheme across all Local Authorities as at Wednesday 24th April:

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

170. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide details of support offered by his Department for companies operating in the circular economy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Companies operating in the circular economy looking for advice and guidance should in the first instance speak with their Local Enterprise Office (LEO). LEOs are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. LEOs also provide a ‘signposting’ service for all government supports available to the SME sector and provide information and referrals to other relevant bodies under agreed protocols.

I am informed that this company has been in contact with their Local Enterprise Office and have been advised of existing supports that might be suitable. Information on LEO supports that could help businesses in the circular economy such as Trading Online Voucher, Priming Grant, Mentoring and Training was provided. I understand that the company was also advised about supports offered from other agencies like Leader, Social Enterprise supports and the Circular Economy Innovation Grant.

Local Enterprise Offices can offer direct grant aid to small businesses operating in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector. However, it should be noted that Local Enterprise Offices cannot provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses in the locality.

LEOs can also provide a referral to Micro Finance Ireland (MFI), which is a not for profit lender that offers small business loans of between €2,000 and €25,000 (unsecured). Loans for commercially viable proposals can be used to help fund start-up costs, working capital or business expansion and by applying through their Local Enterprise Office, clients can avail of a 1% reduction in the interest rate charged.

I strongly recommend that this company keep engaging with their Local Enterprise Office as they have the experience and knowledge to assist such businesses.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As you are aware, the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant scheme was announced as part of Budget 2024, as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. The scheme is a once off grant and is not a rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Local Authority rates as normal.

In order to design the scheme officials in my Department consulted with a range of Government and enterprise stakeholders and used data for the number of businesses who paid rates in 2023. A budget of €257 million was then allocated for the scheme based on this analysis.

Following this analysis, it was determined that the best available option, in keeping with the intention to ensure that smaller businesses benefit proportionally the most, would be to provide grant aid equivalent to 50% of a premises commercial rates bill, for premises paying less than €10,000 in rates. Above this rate, a fixed grant of €5,000 would apply to all premises paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, with no grant aid for premises paying more than €30,000 in rates. The scheme has no bearing on the commercial rates paid by firms.

The 2024 rate figures were not available at the time of the design of the scheme and in order for the scheme to be up and running without further delay, 2023 figures were used and the budget for the scheme was allocated on that basis.