David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) relating to the payment of the increased cost of business grant where rates are paid via a landlord; if he will permit payment in such situations; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24032/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the reopening of the ICOB grant scheme from May 15th until May 29th. This is to ensure those business owners who missed the deadline can now register. They should do so without delay as the sooner they register the sooner the Local Authority can verify the information and make a payment to businesses.

I have made a change to the scheme that now allows for a second payment to be made to businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors or a double payment for businesses in those sectors now registering.

An important aspect of the ICOB grant scheme has been to directly involve the Local Authorities in the authorisation and payment processes, as they are closest to the commercial life within their cities and counties and work in the provision of supports to smaller enterprises via the Local Enterprise Offices. This is one reason why eligibility is in part determined by the rates system which is a good proxy for determining the scale and size of businesses.

Businesses that are tenants can register as long as they are ratepayers. It has been brought to my attention that some businesses have entered into arrangements with their landlords whereby the rent payable includes an amount towards rates and their rates bill is in turn satisfied by the landlord. The legal position under section 4 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 as well as the amendments introduced through the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 is that tenants whose rent incorporates their rates obligation, which is remitted by the landlord, cannot be deemed to be ratepayers. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate and possibly counterproductive for me to attempt to interfere with existing commercial arrangements between small businesses and their landlords in the context of the increased cost of business scheme.

The priority has been to ensure that as many businesses as possible receive the money as quickly as possible.