There is a wide range of financial supports and guidance available to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The dbei (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation) outlines the available supports and some practical steps and guidance to help small businesses to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses HERE. They also offer a Business Support Call Centre contactable at: 01 631 2002 or at infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie.
Below we outline some of the Key Supports. We supply you with additional resources and invite you to read more.
1. Have you Applied for the Restart Grant
On Friday May 22nd, The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, announced that the application form for the new €250m Restart Grant providing direct grant aid to micro and small businesses was available online on all local authority websites.
The €250m Restart Grant provides direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help with the costs associated with reopening and re-employing workers following the COVID-19 lockdown.
2. Can You Avail of the Temporary Wage Supplement Scheme?
In response to the COVID 19 pandemic the Government introduced the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) to provide financial support to workers whose employers are affected by the pandemic and unable to pay the employee. Originally approved for 12 weeks, on 5 June 2020 the scheme was extended until the end of August 2020.
Employers re-opening can claim the subsidy in respect of returning employees who were on the COVID-19 PUP during layoff. The temporary wage subsidy scheme provides direct financial support to pay workers during the crisis and is operated through the payroll and administered by Revenue.
3. Have You Applied for a Trading OnLine Voucher?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we do business for ever. Over the past weeks and months, HABIC has received enquiries from multiple salons and hairdressers about setting up online product sales for their businesses in these difficult times as they combat lost revenues and refine their business model.
Under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, the expanded Trading Online Voucher Scheme helps small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. There is up to €2,500 available through the Local Enterprise Offices with co-funding of 10% from the business*.
On 8th June 2020: Ministers Humphreys and Bruton expanded the trading online scheme by €14.2m as part of the government’s ongoing COVID-19 response.
- Supports of up to €5,000 available to help SMEs get online
- Unprecedented demand for Scheme since COVID-19 with 3 years’ worth of applications received in just 3 months
- Total Budget for Trading Online Scheme now increased by almost 1000% from €2m to €20m
Down load the Trading OnLine Voucher Application Form
4. Have You Talked to Your LEO?
Your Local Enterprise Office (LEO) offers a Mentor Programme which is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice to aid decision making.
All applications for mentor assistance are dealt with individually and are preceded by a business needs analysis to assess the key needs of the business and determine the most imperative mentoring objectives.
For more information contact your Local Enterprise Office or read more HERE
HABIC encourages you to make good use of the resources and supports that our Government have put in place. These are difficult times, but please remember, you are not alone.
#HABICtogether.
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