800 applications for business aid

EIGHT-HUNDRED applications have been received by Louth county council for a ReStart Grant aimed at small and micro businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant will be the amount of a business’s rates demand in respect of calendar year 2019 only, subject to a minimum of €2,000 and a maximum of €10,000.

At the June meeting last week, it was pointed out that funding had been received the previous Thursday and that the first of the payments had gone out on Monday, 15 June.

Application forms are available on the council’s website, and chief executive Joan Martin stressed it is important to make eligible businesses aware of the grant.

Head of finance, Bernie Woods, added staff are working as fast as they can to get the money out.

She pointed out some applicants would have paid less than the minimum €2,000 grant in rates in 2019, but would still qualify for that amount.

Cllr Pearse McGeough believed the Start-Up Grant was going to be vital, and would be the difference between survival and going under for small businesses.

Cllr Edel Corrigan remarked it would be interesting to see a geographical breakdown of applications.

She wanted to see support for those applicants outside urban settings.

While he said he was not being critical of the council, Cllr Hugh Conlon spoke of ‘ a little bit of disappointment’ that the money was not being paid out quickly enough.

At least five businesses in Carlingford will not be re-opening, Cllr Antóin Watters informed the meeting.

And social distancing was going to be a problem for others, resulting in more not opening their doors again.

He called for special legislation for casual trading to help these businesses.