Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
314. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will open an appeals process for the increased cost of business scheme and the Power Up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31543/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra315. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will open an appeals process to allow businesses in the hospitality, retail or beauty sectors that registered for the increased cost of business (ICOB) scheme, but classified themselves in the incorrect sector, to appeal that classification in order to qualify for both a second payment under the ICOB grant and the €4,000 power up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31544/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will open an appeals process for all those that for various reasons did not apply in time and for those that lost out on the increased cost of business scheme grant and the power up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31545/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 314, 315 and 316 together.
In total, €400 million in grant aid was successfully paid to SMEs right across the country in 2024 under the Increased Cost of Business scheme and the Power Up grant.
Following the launch of Power Up, the Department and local authorities became aware of an issue where businesses misclassified their business sector and were subsequently not eligible for the grant.
In order to address this, the Government recently approved 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 businesses who were ineligible for any other reason, this is designed solely to allow those who originally misclassified their business sector an opportunity to register for the grants.
The Department are currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and with the local authorities to agree on the details of the reclassification process. Subject to agreement with the local authorities, it is intended to open the appeals process as soon as possible and local authorities will contact the eligible businesses and inform them of the necessary steps to apply.
