Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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373. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a report (details supplied) highlighting the challenges faced by businesses in Tipperary due to severe storms, snow and ice disruption earlier this year; the progress made in addressing these challenges; his plans for any financial assistance, tax relief measures, and improved snow and ice management to prevent future disruptions; if there is a pathway for financial support for the affected businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I recognise that many businesses have experienced significant weather impacts and recent disruption to their operations. Officials from my Department continue to engage with the National Emergency Coordination Group to respond to these weather events.

Additionally, my Department has monitored impacts at a local level, including through the proactive work by the Local Enterprise Offices. I and my officials are continuing to engage with the business community. It is our understanding that in the majority of cases the primary impacts arising for businesses (damage to property, loss of earnings and/or spoilage to stock) will be covered by the business insurance that the businesses in question will have taken out. This should be the first and primary recourse for businesses that have incurred financial losses as a result of recent weather events.

We will continue to monitor the position across the country and as individual businesses work through their claims with their insurers, to consider if there is a need for additional support from the Government.

The Government does recognise that businesses may have had recent challenges in addressing filing and compliance obligations and given the impact of Storm Eowyn it is appropriate to adopt a flexible, responsive and pragmatic approach. While all public bodies are taking a flexible approach, it is useful to highlight two specific agencies that may be of particular relevance to the business sector.

The Revenue Commissioners are aware that the exceptional weather events have caused difficulties for many and understands that this disruption can impact timely tax compliance. Revenue will work with those taxpayers and businesses that have been adversely impacted by Storms Éowyn and Herminia, to ensure that good compliance records can remain on track despite the disruption caused. Revenue’s Collector-General’s office can be contacted on 01 738 3663, or through MyEnquiries.

The Companies Registration Office is aware that certain areas of the country have been badly impacted by power outages caused by Storm Eowyn. As a result the Companies Registration Office is aware that some companies have encountered difficulties when filing their annual returns with the Companies Registration Office. If the person presenting company filings is in an area that has been affected by the power outages caused by Storm Éowyn, please contact Companies Registration Office at and we will endeavour to assist you where possible.

At a national level, the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) framework outlines the national structures and frameworks to effectively manage emergency situations. The SEM identifies the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as having Lead Government Department responsibilities for the management of responses to severe weather events.

To support this role there are a series of ongoing simulations of various emergency scenarios.

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has been meeting on a daily basis to coordinate the response to Storm Éowyn, with the Department of Housing chairing these meetings as lead government department and daily updates on progress in the restoration effort have been provided to me through my officials. Over the coming weeks and months, the led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will apply learnings from Storm Éowyn to inform preparedness for future events.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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374. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine the eligibility criteria for the Power Up grant as it relates to small business owners who paid their rent and rates as a combined single payment to their landlord (details supplied); if consideration will be given to cases where the business owner did not receive the second increased cost of business payment due to their landlord being listed on the rate account; if such arrangements could qualify for a retrospective assessment, given the business owner was not aware of the requirement to be listed directly on the rate account; and if there is a review process for those who were rejected. [2585/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The criteria for the Power Up Grant were aligned with the Increased Cost of Business Scheme in order to get payments to businesses as quickly as possible by the end of 2024. Businesses that are tenants and received the second payment under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme could register as long as they are ratepayers.

I am aware 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.