As a result of Covid-19 many businesses have been adversely negatively affected. We are here to help clients through these testing times by providing the most up to date information and helping them in claiming all relevant reliefs due. With so many tax measures, stimulus measures and grants available it is important for businesses to ensure they are maximising their entitlements.
Summary of available grants
| Grant | Where to find it |
| Employment Wage subsidy scheme | https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/stimulus/employment-wage-subsidy-scheme.aspx |
| Enterprise support grant | https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/stimulus/employment-wage-subsidy-scheme.aspx |
| Business restart grant plus | https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/COVID-19-Restart-Grant-Local-Authority-Websites.html |
| Covid-19 adaptation fund | https://www.failteireland.ie/COVID-19-adaptation-fund.aspx |
Grants
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS)
The EWSS replaced the Temporary wage subsidy scheme (which ended on 31st August 2020). It is a flat rate subsidy for employers who have been significantly negatively affected by Covid-19.
Eligibility Criteria employers
Employers must have tax clearance before they are eligible to enter the scheme
Employers must experience a 30% reduction in July- December 2020 v July – December 2019
The disruption must have been caused by Covid-19
Eligibility Criteria Employees
Gross Wages paid to employees must be between €151.50 and €1,462
Employees & directors will qualify for the subsidy
New employees who didn’t qualify under the TWSS will now qualify
Level of subsidy the employer will receive is per paid employee
| Employee Gross Weekly Wages | Subsidy Payable |
| Less than €151.50 | Nil |
| From €151.50 to €202.99 | €151.50 |
| From € 203 to €1,462 | €203 |
| More than €1,462 | Nil |
Applications to register are made through “Manage tax registrations” in ROS and you MUST have valid tax clearance before application is made as you cant follow through on the registration process without it.
See more at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/stimulus/employment-wage-subsidy-scheme.aspx
Business Restart Grant Plus
Grant for business to help them reopen their premises and get back to work
Grants of min €4,000 and max €25,000 are available from local authorities county by county
Eligibility Criteria
250 employees or less
Turnover of less than €100,000 per employee
Reduced turnover by 25% due to Covid 19
Must have been in the commercial rates system 2019
Enterprise Support Grant
Applications have been open from 14th August 2020. Grant for the self employed “man in white van grant”. Maximum grant due €1,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Business not liable to business rates & are tax and PRSI compliant
Were in receipt of the PUP (Pandemic Unemployment Payment/€350 per week) and closed the claim on or after 18th May 2020.
Employ less than 10 employees & have reopened their business which was closed due to Covid-19
Annual turnover less than €1m
See more and application form here https://www.gov.ie/en/service/739f3-enterprise-support-grant-for-buisnesses-impacted-by-covid-19/
Covid-19 Adaptation Fund
Bord Failte fund for the tourism sector to contribute towards the costs of implementing Failte Ireland’s guidelines for re-opening.
Eligible Businesses
Accommodation listed on Fáilte Ireland’s Statutory Accommodation Register 2020 or Non-Statutory Accommodation Listing 2020*
Pubs/ bars with a Publican’s Licence (opening under the Government’s Roadmap for Re-opening Society and Business)Restaurants or cafés with a Wine Retailer’s On-Licence or a Special Restaurant Licence
Visitor attractions
Activity operators
Adventure centres
Cruise hire companies
Boat tour operators
Tourism equestrian centres
Tourism golf clubhouses
Tourism wellness centres
Some key qualifying criteria to note include:
Businesses must be tax-compliant.
Before applying for a grant, businesses are required to complete the Fáilte Ireland COVID-19 Safety Charter, which includes ensuring that all employees undertake requisite COVID-19 safety and hygiene control training.
They must also operate in full compliance with Fáilte Ireland’s Guidelines for Re-Opening for their sector. Read more details about the Safety Charter and the Guidelines for Re-Opening.
Businesses will also be required to commit to opening for a minimum period of time between 29 June and 31 December in 2020 in order to be eligible for this Fund.
Businesses must have incurred either: (a) capital expenditure for COVID-19 related adaptations to fixed, visitor-facing premises, or (b) expenditure on consumables, particularly the sanitisation of equipment and safety gear.
Applications MUST be made through the Bord Failte Trade Portal account. If a business doesn’t have one it must set up one before an application can be made.
For more in relation to Covid-19 adaptation fund see https://www.failteireland.ie/COVID-19-adaptation-fund.aspx
Supports for Business
Your local enterprise office has a wide range of business supports to help support small business owners in these testing times. From mentoring to financial supports there are is something here for everyone.
LEO Supports
Mentoring
Trading online voucher scheme
Online training & webinars
LEAN for Micro
Covid-19 Business loan
Business priming grants
Business expansion grants
Feasibility study grants
The supports are wide ranging and business specific so get in touch with your local enterprise office to ensure you get the full benefits available.
For more information see https://www.localenterprise.ie/response/Other-LEO-Supports/