Factsheet for measure
IE-2020-38/1155
– measures in Ireland
New assistance fund to support microenterprises
Micro-Enterprise Assistance Fund
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Country
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Ireland
, applies nationwide
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Time period
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Temporary, 14 September 2020 – 09 October 2020
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Context
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COVID-19
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Type
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Other initiatives or policies
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Category
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Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation
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Author
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Roisin Farelly (IRN Publishing) and Eurofound
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Measure added
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18 September 2020 (updated 30 January 2025)
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Background information
Funding for micro-enterprises which have not been eligible for other COVID-19 support grants. The total fund is €2 million and grants are up to €1,000, so about 2,000 businesses are to benefit. The launch event for the scheme to place in County Kildare, which was subject to a localised increase in public health restrictions during August - although the scheme is available nationally.
Content of measure
Grants of up to €1,000 available to micro-enterprises (defined as those with at least one and up to 10 full-time employees), which have been impacted by a 30% reduction in turnover due to COVID-19 restrictions or downturn in trade.
The grant is based on the amount of additional vouched expenditure from September 14th, 2020 and is confined to those with a commercial focus, with an up to date tax compliance certificate and within eligible sector (exclude gambling, coal and steel etc). They must be businesses which are not eligible for other state sectoral funding schemes.
The total fund is €2 million, so it is expected that about 2,000 businesses will benefit.
Use of measure
According to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: 425 applications were received. As of 31 December 2020, 195 were approved with a total value of €183,079.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement
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No involvement
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Social partners not involved - the fund is a national government initiative.
Views and reactions
No views recorded or expressed.
Sources
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14 September 2020: Tánaiste announces additional funding for small businesses Up to 2,000 businesses nationwide eligible
(dbei.gov.ie)
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31 December 2020: COVID-19 and Brexit Business Supports Tracker
(enterprise.gov.ie)
