Businesses urged to avail of revised grant scheme

BUSINESSES across Cork have been urged to avail of a revised scheme offing them financial assistance to help get their operations back up and running as they begin the process of recovering from the Covid-19 fallout.

Cork County Council has opened up the application process for the Restart Grant Plus initiative, which is aimed at helping local enterprises to re-open and get employees back into the workplace.

Under the initial Restart Grant, which was funded by the Government to the tune of €250 million, applicants could apply for a minimum grant of €2,000 up to a maximum of €10,000.

Details of the revised scheme were unveiled by Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar under the Governments €7.4billion stimulus package announced last month. It set asides an additional €300 billion for the scheme, allowing for the minimum grant to be doubled and the maximum grant aid extended to €25,000.

The eligibility of the scheme has also been extended to include companies employing up to 250 employees (previously 50) with a turnover of less than €25 million and that have suffered a 25% loss in expected turnover between April 1 and June 30. Non-rateable B&Bs, sports clubs with commercial activities and trading charity shops are also eligible for grant aid.

Applicants must also declare their intention to re-employ staff members that have been availing of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and musts commit to remaining open for business or if closed, re-opening. Businesses that have already availed of a grant will be eligible for an additional top-up payments.

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made online at www.YourCouncil.ie. Cork County Council has also established a dedicated helpline on (021) 4208000 and email at RestartFund@ CorkCoCo.ie.