David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason businesses that pay their commercial rates through their landlords are not eligible to apply for the Power Up grant; if he is considering any changes to the scheme’s qualifying criteria in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45441/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The criteria for the Power Up Grant are aligned with the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. Businesses that are tenants and received the second payment under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme 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 landlord pays the rates for their tenants. 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 any business grant scheme.

The priority has been to ensure that as many businesses as possible in the hospitality and retail sectors who are facing great difficulties due to the increased costs associated with running a business receive the money as quickly as possible.