Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
91. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in the counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford registered for the increased cost of business grant before 1 May 2024; how many more in each county have registered since the application process reopened last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23090/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is very aware that SMEs have faced a number of economic shocks in recent years which have resulted in cost increases.
On May 15th, I, along with my Government colleagues, announced a substantial range of measures to reduce costs for small and medium sized businesses.
Included in these measures was the reopening of the ICOB portal from 15th May to 29th May, in order to allow rate paying business owners who have not registered to do so. We have received feedback that the process of registering is simple and quick.
As part of re-opening the ICOB scheme and given the greater impact that increased costs are having on the hospitality and retail sector, as noted in the DETE-DSP joint working paper titled ‘An Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Conditions in Ireland’, it has been agreed that business operating in these sectors will receive a second payment for approved businesses or a double payment for new registrations under this scheme.
The figures you requested are as of May 21st and are as follows:
Carlow - 951 businesses were registered on 1st May and 8 have registered since scheme reopened.
Kilkenny - 1208 businesses were registered on 1st May and 44 have registered since scheme reopened.
Waterford - 1895 businesses were registered on 1st May and 38 have registered since scheme reopened.
Wexford - 2675 businesses were registered on 1st May and 22 have registered since scheme reopened.
