Factsheet for measure
IE-2021-1/1780
–
Updated
– measures in Ireland
COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) targets businesses ineligible for other supports
Background information
In February the Government announced a new scheme for businesses, such as wholesalers, caterers and event suppliers who have been ineligible for the COVID Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) and other sector specific grants. The scheme is called the COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS).
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar said: “The government has sought to help as many businesses as possible through wage subsidies and the many different grant and loan schemes we have put in place. A new Scheme, the CBAS, will help some businesses that aren’t eligible for existing grants, largely due to the fact that the premises they operate from have not been closed to the public. We estimate that this will help approximately 7,500 businesses. While the grant is modest it will be of substantial assistance to smaller businesses with some of their fixed costs like rent, utilities and security. For example, wholesalers, suppliers, caterers, office-based businesses and events companies down 75% or more in turnover will qualify. We are finalising the details and it will be open for applications shortly.”
Content of measure
The COVID-19 Business Aid Scheme (CBAS) is available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships.
To be eligible they must have a minimum turnover of €50,000.
In addition, the following must apply:
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not owned and operated by a public body
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the business is not eligible for CRSS or Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme
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operate from a building, or similar fixed physical structure on which business rates are payable
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turnover is down 75% based on average weekly turnover of the business in 2019
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the business intends to resume trading in full once government restrictions are eased
In May eligibility was extended to include businesses operating from a non-rateable premises such as a home office or hot-desk.
The scheme covers the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. Each eligible applicant will receive a payment of €4,000 with an additional payment of €4,000 from May 2021.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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18 June 2021
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In May eligibility was extended to include businesses operating from a non-rateable premises such as a home office or hot-desk.
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Use of measure
It is estimated that the grant will help approximately 7,500 businesses.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Local / regional government
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Local funds
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
N/A
Views and reactions
In February, the Small Firms Association (part of the employer group Ibec) called on the Government to launch more details of the scheme “before small businesses ineligible for other COVID business supports are forced to close and jobs are lost”.
Sources
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09 February 2021: Government €160m boost to COVID-19 business grants
(www.gov.ie)
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24 February 2021: Government must launch details of Covid-19 Business Aid Scheme
(www.sfa.ie)
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11 March 2021: Tánaiste opens applications for Phase 1 of €8,000 grant under new Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC)
(www.gov.ie)
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11 March 2021: SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR COVID [SBASC]
(sbasc.submit.com)
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18 May 2021: Tánaiste extends eligibility of Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC)
(enterprise.gov.ie)
