Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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735. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are plans to re-open the increased cost of business and Power Up grant to businesses that did not apply or that were previously unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20596/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In total, the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) and Power Up grant schemes have paid out over €400 million to SMEs right across the country. Both schemes are now closed and it is not possible to reopen to those who did not apply or missed the deadline.

As I have previously outlined my Department is aware of issues that have arisen during the registration period, in relation to businesses that were ineligible for the grant due to incorrect classification of their business type while registering for ICOB. In order to address this, we are now proposing to open an appeals process that will give those businesses in the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors that were not eligible for ICOB and the Power Up grant because of the misclassification issue, an opportunity to register for those grants.

This is not a re-opening of those grant schemes for new applicants, rather this is designed to allow those who originally misclassified their business sector an opportunity to register for the grants.

It is intended to open the appeals process as soon as possible following discussions with the local authorities who previously administered both the ICOB and Power Up grant schemes on behalf of my Department.