THE Restart Grant Plus, launched this week, will help businesses in Limerick reopen and will help local people get back to work, Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has said.
The Restart Grant Plus scheme provides for a minimum grant of €4,000 and up to a maximum grant of €25,000 for businesses which have been adversely impacted by Covid-19. Similar to the earlier restart grant scheme it will be administered by the Local Authorities.
Deputy Kieran O’Donnell is now encouraging all affected businesses to apply.
“Any business who applied under the first restart grant scheme is also eligible to apply under this new restart grant plus scheme. I would encourage all affected businesses to apply,” he said.
“Limerick City and County Council advise me that they will be sending emails to all businesses who applied under the first Restart Grant scheme advising them of this new Restart Grant Plus scheme. Any businesses who did not apply under the first restart grant scheme should go onto the Council’s website later today to apply.”
The Restart Grant Plus is a key part of the government’s July Stimulus package — a €7.4bn package of measures designed to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of Covid-19.
“This expanded and improved Restart Grant Plus will see €300m additional funding in addition to the €250m previously committed. The grant amount has increased substantially. The minimum grant available is now €4,000 up from €2,000 previously. The maximum grant available is €25,000, a significant increase from €10,000 previously.
“More Limerick businesses could now find themselves eligible for this grant than before, and key businesses that received a grant under the first scheme can re-apply to receive additional funding. Non-rateable B&Bs, sports clubs with commercial activities and trading charity shops are now eligible. Previously only small companies could apply for this grant, but now medium sized companies are also eligible.
“I encourage all Limerick companies with up to 250 employees to apply through Limerick City and County Council.”
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a Business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by Covid-19. It can be reached at [email protected] or 01 631 2002.
