2246 businesses in Louth yet to apply for ICOB grants
This €257 million scheme was announced in Budget 2024
Almost 2250 businesses in County Louth should act now and apply for a once-off Government grant to help them meet rising costs, a Fine Gael Deputy has said.
Local TD, Fergus O’Dowd, has also urged Louth County Council to continue to proactively engage with businesses ahead of the May 1st deadline.
O’Dowd said:
“This €257 million scheme was announced in Budget 2024 by my colleague, former Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, and will provide a real boost to micro businesses and small and medium enterprises.
“In Louth, a total of 3121 eligible businesses have been identified but only 875 have applied to date, this has left 2246 businesses yet to make a submission for the scheme and I would urge them to do so through the online portal at mycoco.ie.
“If they need assistance, businesses can also contact Louth County Council directly, who have written to all ratepayers with a Customer ID and pin.
“The deadline of May 1st for businesses to confirm their eligibility and upload verification details is fast approaching in a couple of weeks on May 1st, and I would like to see this deadline extended to ensure they benefit from this vital support.
“For businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of less than €10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50% of the business’s Commercial Rate bill for 2023.
“For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the ICOB grant will be €5,000.
“Taoiseach Simon Harris and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke are working with Government colleagues to examine what additional supports can be provided to small and medium businesses, ahead of Budget 2025,”
“We are acutely aware that small businesses are at the heart of our local communities and economies. We also are aware of the pressure businesses are under, and we want to help,” O’Dowd concluded.