The Government’s decision to provide a €250 million fund to help small enterprises restart their businesses is another important measure towards economic recovery.
That is according to Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney.
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has announced that the Restart Grant fund will provide between €2,000 and €10,000 for eligible businesses.
Eligibility criteria include businesses employing less than 50 people with a turnover of less than €5 million a year and a loss of turnover of 25% up to June 30 2020.
Minister Canney said: “This is another important measure that is part of the Government’s wider €12 billion supports package for businesses of all sizes.
“It is a direct grant for micro and small businesses aimed at contributing towards the costs of re-opening, keeping businesses operational and for re-connecting with employees and customers.
“The size of the grant will be based on the commercial rates bill for 2019 and applications are open until Friday May 22 through local authorities.
“I would urge all eligible small businesses in Galway East to apply.
“Small businesses are vital to our economy and I am pleased that every assistance is being given to them to recover post COVID-19.”

EDITORS NOTE
About the Restart Grant
Micro and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of Covid-19. Many businesses, even while closed, continue to incur costs including fixed costs without being able to generate revenues. It is recognised that businesses will also incur costs in preparing their businesses to reopen and meeting the needs of employees and customers. The Restart Grant is designed to alleviate the pressure on businesses in this context.
To avail of the Restart Grant, a business must be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:
• Have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people;
• Have closed and/or suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020;
• Commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed;
• Declare the intention to retaining employees that are on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and to reemploy staff on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment where applicable.
The grant can be used to defray ongoing fixed costs, for replenishing stock and for measures needed to ensure employee and customer safety.
For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
May 16 2020