The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, extended eligibility for the €60 million Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) to include businesses operating from a non-rateable premise like a home business or yard. The SBASC is for businesses that are down 75 percent or more of turnover and are not eligible for CRSS or other sector specific grants.

The Minister announced the extension of eligibility for the SBASC on 18 May to businesses operating from non-rateable premises to assist in defraying ongoing fixed costs. Such costs can include utilities, maintenance of equipment and mobile business, security, IT systems fees, storage, legal and accountancy and costs required to provide a safe working environment. Businesses must declare that they intend to resume trading in full once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

The closing date for Phase 2 applications will be 21 July. Further details on the go-live date for Phase 2 will be announced shortly.

The Minister also announced that the Micro Enterprise Assistance Scheme will be relaunched through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to help businesses, whose turnover is below €50,000, with fixed costs. The Scheme will provide assistance of up to €1,000 to businesses who meet the criteria and will be funded by up to €5 million as part of the SBASC allocation.