Louth TD gets clarity on payment of small business grants

Prompted by queries from local small businesses, a Louth Labour TD has sought clarification from the Government on the payment of a grant scheme introduced to offset increased costs like energy and fuel that have driven some small enterprises to the very brink.

Local Labour TD, Deputy Ged Nash said: “A number of local businesses have contacted me recently, desperate to clear up confusion regarding the payment of the Increased Cost of Business Grant. The measure was announced in the last Budget but since then, small businesses have heard nothing.

“Prompted by those queries, I pressed the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the issue and received assurances that the payments under the scheme will be rolled out soon.”

Deputy Nash explained: “The scheme is being administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“The Minister assures me that payments will begin to be rolled out early this year and I hope this will prove to be the case.

“Small businesses in Drogheda and around the county have been put to the pin of their collar by the runaway rising costs of fuel, energy, transport and other costs in their supply chain.

“The scheme will provide one-off relief against some of those costs and while it comes too late for some, it will be welcome for others.”

The Labour TD added: “The local authority will administer the scheme and will write to qualifying businesses soon.

“The Government however, has done a poor job of communicating the terms and schedule of the scheme since it was heralded in last year’s Budget and it beggars belief that I had to table a Parliamentary Question to get some clarity for local businesses on when they can expect payment.”

Deputy Nash concluded: “While I welcome these grants, everyone knows that they amount to nothing more than a drop in the ocean in terms of battling the increased costs small businesses are facing.

“Once again, this Government is relying on one-off measures to tackle the rising cost of living and doing business in Ireland, rather than tackling the opportunism and profiteering we have seen from the big energy companies which continue to hurt small businesses and households alike.”