€6.85m paid out in Enterprise Support Grants since August
A total of 7,412 people have availed of the Department of Social Protection’s Enterprise Support Grant since applications were opened in August.
The once-off payment is worth up to €1,000 per person and €6.85m has been paid out in Enterprise Support Grants since August.
It is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and taxi drivers who do not pay commercial rates and therefore do not qualify for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.
The grant is paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by an applicant to re-open their business covering their costs, including wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE and insurance costs, up to €1,000.
Almost one quarter of all grants under the scheme to date have been to micro enterprises in the Dublin region. This is followed by Cork and Galway.
Applications for the grant are taking on average two weeks to process.
The Minister for Social Protection Minister, Heather Humphreys, said the grant offers that kickstart for many self-employed people to help them get their business back up and running again.
“This year has presented our sole traders and self-employed people with many great and unprecedented challenges that otherwise may have caused many to cease operations for good,” Heather Humphreys said.
“It is very encouraging to see almost €7m paid out through the Enterprise Support Grant to keep Ireland open for business and I would urge others who are still considering their business options, to check out this grant,” the Minister added.
Article Source: €6.85m paid out in Enterprise Support Grants since August – RTE
