Home > COVID-19 Business Supports
Business Supports Through Covid-19
Updated Nov 25 2020
Cork Chamber are monitoring the unfolding situation around COVID-19. Updates from Government will be posted here, and some of our advocacy work can be seen to the end of this page #RepresentingYou.
Nov 25 – Government Agrees to Extend Credit Guarantee Scheme and Redundancy Provisions – here
Nov 17 – Revenue confirm eligible businesses can make a claim under CRSS – here
Nov 03 – Revenue open registration for the CRSS – here
Oct 23 – Follow up note for retailers operating in Level 5 from DBEI – here
Oct 20, Government announce changes to Covid support schemes – here
Oct 19, Government place country on level 5 restrictions – here
Oct 15, Overview of the CRSS announce in Budget 2021 – here
Oct 15, Govt response to Ryanair’s decision to close Cork base – here. Cork Chamber Comment here
Oct 06, all remaining counties to joing Donegal on level 3 restrictions – here
Sept 15, Government release Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 – here
Sept 7, Launch of Credit Guarantee Scheme – here
Aug 31, Low cost MicroFinance Covid loans reopened – here
Aug 28, Additions to Restart grant plus for bars and nightclubs – here
Aug 27, Revisions to guidelines for operating the Wage Subsidy Scheme – here
Aug 18, Failte Ireland tourism grant, open for applications – here
Aug 14 – Guidelines on operation of Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme – here
Aug 14, Enterprise Support Grant, open for applications – here
Aug 10, Face coverings are mandatory in retail and other indoor settings – here
Aug 04, Government announced changes to restrictions, and the move to Phase 4 will now be delayed for at least 3 weeks until 31 August 2020 – here
July 23, The July Jobs Stimulus has been published – here
July 02, €6.5m in grants to retail sector through Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme – Click here
June 25, Enterprise Support Grant Available to Small Business Owners – Click here
June 19, Government approves revised Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business – Click here
June 18, Guidelines for re-opening pubs – Click here
June 16, Update from Fáilte Ireland following guidance from HPSC – Click here
June 11, Guidelines for Shopping centres launched by NSAI – Click here
June 09, Guidelines for those preparing to reopen in hospitality – Click here
June 08, Trading Online Voucher Scheme receives additional funding – Click here
The Chamber team is here to help guide you on how to access these supports and we welcome any enquires you may have 021 450 9044.
GOVERNMENT CAPITAL SUPPORT SCHEMES
Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS)
Details of the proposed Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) were published in the Finance Bill 2020. Pending enactment of the necessary legislation Revenue has advised that registration for the scheme is now available to eligible businesses, or the tax agent acting on their behalf, via the e-Registration facility in ROS, with over 700 businesses already registered. Read press release from Revenue
The Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme allows employers to continue to pay their employees during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. It aims to keep employees registered with their employers, so that they will be able to get back to work quickly after the pandemic. The new Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme will is effective as of September 01 2020, and replaces the original Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.
Full details on revenue.ie and latest FAQs click here.
Restart Grant Plus
Direct grant aid of between €4,000 minimum and €25,000 based on commercial rates bill from 2019.
Scheme applies to small businesses with a turnover of under €100k and employing 250 people or less.
To view the additions to the restart grant plus for bars and nightclubs – click here
* Applications via Cork County Council
* Applications via Cork City Council
Enterprise Support Grant
The Enterprise Support Grant will be made available to assist self-employed recipients who are exiting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme. This will provide owners with a once-off grant of up to €1,000 to re-start their business. A fund of €12m has been allocated for the extension of this grant.
The grant will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. Read more.
Short-time Work Support
Short-time Work Support is available under Job Seeker’s Benefit and is an income support payment for employees who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week, due to business challenges affecting their employment. More details here.
FINANCIAL SUPPORTS & LOANS
Microfinance Loans
A further €15m has been allocated to re-open low cost Covid-19 loan scheme for microenterprises, with less than 10 employees, via Microfinance Ireland (MFI).
SBCI Loans
Loans from €25,000 to €1.5 million under the Working Capital Loan Scheme, operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). Loans are available to viable micro enterprises, SMEs and enterprises with up to 500 employees.
Longer term loans from €100,000 to €3,000,000 for SME’s under the Future Growth Loan Scheme also operated through the SBCI. The loans have a maximum interest rate of 4.5% and the first €500,000 borrowed can be unsecured.
Credit Guarantee Scheme
The new COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) will make low cost loans available to businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Government has agreed to publish the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020, which will underpin the scheme.
The legislation is expected to go through the Oireachtas next week and once operational will be available through three banks; AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. There will be an Open Call in due course.
Trading Online Voucher
Under the Government’s National Digital Strategy, the expanded Trading Online Voucher Scheme helps small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. There is up to €2,500 available through the Local Enterprise Offices with co-funding of 10% from the business.
Training and further business supports are also provided by Local Enterprise Offices,and businesses that have already received a Trading Online Voucher can now apply for a second voucher, where upgrades are required.
Support from Banking & Payments Federation Members
Retail banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland, KBC, Permanent tsb and Ulster Bank), non-bank mortgage lenders (Finance Ireland and Dilosk/ICS Mortgages) and credit servicing firms (Investec Private Finance Ireland Ltd, Lapithus, Link Group, Mars Capital, Pepper and Start) have put in place measures to help personal customers and businesses including not-for-profit businesses/organisations (retail banks only). Read More.
BUSINESS GUIDES & HR RESOURCES
Guide for Businesses May 12, Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation click here
Return to Work Protocol May 08 Click here – read Chamber comment here
Sustainable Cork Programme May 08 Read more
Waiver on commercial rates, warehousing of tax liabilities and grant schemes May 02 – click here.
Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business – May 01 click here.
NSAI. Check their website here for tools tailored to your business sector.
Enterprise Ireland: Business support brochure; Sustaining Enterprise Fund; Financial planning grant; Lean business continuity; Employers guide
Illness Benefit
The Government has announced that the rate of Illness Benefit has further increased from €305 to €350 per week, and recipients will not have to wait 6 days before applying for the benefit.
The enhanced Illness Benefit will be paid for a maximum of 2 weeks where an individual must self isolate, and for a maximum of 10 weeks if an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19,
Pandemic Unemployment Payment
The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been extended to August 10th. This payment was increased to €350 per week as of March 27th and is available to all individuals who are temporarily fully unemployed, including the self-employed.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for (or close) the Covid-19 unemployment payment is via MyWelfare.ie.
Due to the current situation employees with dependants who are accessing the Covid 19 Emergency Payment are also advised to make a Job Seeker application at this time. Download form here.
Employers with queries can email the Cork branch here.
OTHER SUPPORTS
DBEI. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation have set up a Business Support Call Centre to give you more information on supports available: 01 631 2002 or email infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie
Revenue. Revenue has announced measures for SMEs experiencing cashflow difficulties: Click here
Insurance. Review your insurance policy to find out if your policy includes cover for an interruption in your business, or a temporary business closure, caused by COVID-19.
Your local bank. The primary pillar banks announced that they will support businesses experiencing difficulties.
CORK CHAMBER ADVOCACY
At Cork Chamber we are working daily with Government and continue to represent your voice, lobbying on your behalf. Below is some commentary on relevant items of business. #CorkTogether
June 08th – Online Trading a Lifeline for Business
Juen 05th – Maintenance of Business Supports Essential Beyond Summer Months
May 29th – Revisions Welcomed But Deeper and Broader Interpretation of Supports Still Required
May 15th – Cork Chamber Welcomes Restart Grant for Small Business
May 09th – Return to Work Protocol A Necessary Step That Must Be Monitored
May 08th – Cork Chamber launched Sustainable Cork Programme
May 01st – Recovery Steps Welcomed, but Further Measures Required
April 30th – Sustainable Recovery Vision
April 30th – Business Community Survey
April 22nd – Prioritising car-free and green spaces in our urban spaces
April 24th – Chambers call for Business input on Rebooting the Economy
April 24th – Letter to An Taoiseach on reopening of the Irish economy
April 17th – Letter from Department of An Taoiseach
April 16th – Response letter from Dept Finance on Insurance
View More
April 15h – Letter from Heather Humphreys TD to Chambers Ireland
April 15th – Letter to European Commissioners – from EuroChambres
April 09th – Chambers Ireland survey results highlight severity of economic impact
April 09th – Deepened Loan and Support Schemes Must Function Well to be Effective
April 02nd – Audio – Cashflow the No.1 Issue for Business
April 01st – Public and Private Sector to Play Their Part and Keep Cash Moving in the Economy
March 27th – Your Chamber Working with Government for Wage Subsidy Clarity
March 26th – Audio – Paschal Donohoe comments on Employer eligibility for Wage Subsidy Scheme.
March 25th – Further Focus on Government Related Cashflow Measures Essential
March 25th – Audio – Conor Healy welcomes Gov’t scaled funding of salaries
March 24th – Full Survey Results
March 24th – Chamber Survey Confirms Need for Continued Government Intervention
March 24th – National Business Survey published with Chambers Ireland
March 20th – Audio – Conor Healy on Deferral of Commercial Rates
March 20th – Assessment of Commercial Rates Deferral
March 18th – Paula Cogan, Cork Chamber President Addresses Members
March 17th – Audio – Conor Healy comment on business impacts
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