Power Up Grant eligibility issues must be rectified
Problems have arisen for some businesses accessing the new grant worth €4,000.
Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has called for urgent changes to be made to the Power Up Grants, saying some businesses have been devasted by the eligibility criteria.
The Cavan-Monaghan TD told the Dáil serious problems have arisen for some businesses accessing the new grant worth €4,000.
“The first Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme had 17 categories and paid 50% of the rates of a business. ICOB 2 paid 50% of rates as well but the 17 categories were reduced to two, namely, accommodation and food service, and wholesale and retail. Only the businesses that had classified themselves within those two categories in ICOB 1 got ICOB 2," he said.
“Businesses that received ICOB 1 but not ICOB 2 are not eligible to apply for the much better Power Up grant of €4,000 announced in the recent budget. This is devastating for many businesses and must be changed. The Department must ensure that all businesses that got ICOB 1 get the Power Up grant. These businesses were not informed about the changes and they need this financial support.
“A decision was made at administrative level which is totally unfair. It must be changed immediately.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, in response, gave Deputy Smith assurances that Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD, is considering the matter.
The Tánaiste said 29,000 retail and hospitality businesses have registered for the new Power Up grant which has a budget of €170 million.
“As the Deputy said, there are two types and he is correct that the businesses that did not receive a second payment under ICOB are not eligible to register for the Power Up grant,” Minister Martin said.
“It is my understanding that the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, has said this was being looked at within the Department with a view to seeing if we can do something to sort it out. The Deputy raised a fair point and it is one that needs to be examined.”