Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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312. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding available in 2025 for the increased cost of business scheme; if a new round of this scheme will be announced shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23101/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Increased Cost of Business scheme was introduced in March 2024 and the Power Up grant was introduced in October 2024. Both schemes are now closed, however, in total, €400 million in grant aid was successfully paid to SMEs right across the country in 2024 under these grants.

Following the launch of Power Up, the Department became aware of issues that were raised during the Power Up scheme. In particular issues raised from businesses who believe they are in the hospitality, retail or beauty sectors, but incorrectly categorised themselves during the ICOB registration process, which was the basis for the Power Up grant.

It is now intended to introduce an appeals process to allow businesses in the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors who misclassified themselves to register for the second ICOB grant and Power Up grant.

This process is only for businesses in the retail, hospitality and beauty sectors who misclassified their business type when applying for the ICOB scheme. It is designed to allow those who originally misclassified their business sector an opportunity to register for the grants and it will not reopen the ICOB scheme or Power Up grant for any other situation.

It is intended for this appeals process to open as soon as possible following discussions with the Local Authorities who administered both the ICOB and Power Up schemes on behalf of the Department.