Welcome for improved Restart Grant for local B&Bs
Through the €8million Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, grants of €4,000 will be available to B&Bs that do not pay rates to their Local Authority.
B&Bs in the border region have been encouraged to avail of the Restart Grant Plus Scheme which was launched this week.
Through the €8million Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, grants of €4,000 will be available to B&Bs that do not pay rates to their Local Authority. B&Bs that are on the rates system can apply to their Local Authority for the equivalent of their 2019 rates bill, excluding arrears, subject to a minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum of €25,000 under the Restart Grant Plus.
Welcoming the improved supports for sector, Cavan-Monagha TD Niamh Smyth said: “The hospitality sector has endured one of the worst years on record. Slowly as businesses in this sector reopen, they will need financial support.”
Alongside the €7.2 bn July Stimulus Package, 11 pieces of legislation have been passed since the Government was formed, with 30 more pieces of legislation planned before the end of the year.
Deputy Smyth's party colleague, Senator Robbie Gallagher, also welcomed the Covid business support.
“This grant will help B&B owners with the costs associated with re-opening and re-employing workers following COVID-19 closures. Applications for the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs can be made through the Fáilte Ireland website and I would strongly encourage B&B owners to apply immediately,” said Sen Gallagher.
“I would also like to remind business owners that a €26m adaptation fund for tourism businesses, also administered by Fáilte Ireland, is currently open for applications.”
He further noted that as many as 2000 small businesses could benefit from new grants to help them adapt to the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic.
The new micro-enterprise assistance fund is aimed at helping firms that aren’t eligible for other support schemes such as the re-start grant. Funding has also been increased to LEOs (Local Enterprise Offices) as part of the government’s July Stimulus package. Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through the LEOs and the scheme will be open to those with fewer than 10 employees. To qualify they must have suffered a 30 per cent reduction in turnover due to restrictions and they must commit to re-opening and resuming employment.