Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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429. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a small business (details supplied) that was unaware of the first two small grants that were available to it, cannot avail of the small business grant now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/25]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In total, the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) and Power Up grant schemes paid out over €400 million in 2024.

Following an extension to the deadline, the ICOB scheme closed on 29th May, 2024 and the Power Up grant closed on 22nd November, 2024 also following an extension to the deadline. The Local Authorities contacted eligible businesses to let them know how to register for the schemes and they were also widely advertised including on local radio and on social media.

In order to get payments to businesses before the end of 2024, the Power Up grant was aligned with the ICOB scheme and a business must have received the second ICOB grant and be in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors in order to receive the Power Up grant. If a business did not apply for ICOB, they were unable to apply for the Power Up grant.

In terms of broader supports for businesses, the National Enterprise Hub online portal provides all business owners with a centralised signposting service of over 230 Government supports from 23 Departments and Agencies. The Hub has a team of expertly trained advisors who can help to diagnose the needs of your business and direct you to the appropriate available supports or indeed put you in direct contact with the relevant agency. The Hub team can be contacted through the website () via live chat or by phone on 01 727 2100.