New grant for self employed to assist return to business

Applications are open for the newly revamped Enterprise Support Grant to assist self-employed workers get back into business following Covid-19.

The grant, worth up to €1,000 per person, is aimed at sole traders, ie: plumbers, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers, who do not pay commercial rates and therefore do not qualify for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.

The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises.

It has now been revamped to provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely affected and have had to cease operations as a result of the pandemic.

The Department of Social Protection say the grant will assist those people who moved from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment into self-employment since 18 May.

The support is available to small business owners who employ fewer than ten people, are not liable for commercial rates and have an annual turnover of less than €1m.

It provides kick-start funding to those enterprises that do not have an entitlement to other business re-start grants.

It will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by an applicant to re-open their business covering their costs up to €1,000.

Anyone who wants to apply for the grant can download the application form on www.welfare.ie and, when completed it should be sent to their local Intreo Centre.