Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy wishes to remind business owners that the recent expansion of the Restart Grant Plus is now open. To further support businesses as the economy reopens and resumes activity, the government has announced an additional €300 million in funding.  This new grant is the Restart Grant PlusScheme. This is following on from the Business Restart Grantscheme in May, where a €250 million Restart Fund was created by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. 

If you have already been approved for the Restart Grant do not apply for the Restart Grant Plus.  Cork City Council will send an e-mail to each already approved applicant outlining the next steps to be taken. If you applied for the Restart Grant and it was refused because you were not eligible, please apply for the Business Restart Grant Plus as the criteria have now been expanded and you may now qualify.

The maximum grant available will rise to €25,000 (up from €10,000) and the minimum payment will be €4,000 (up from €2,000). Firms that accessed the Restart Grant will be eligible for a top-up payment to a total combined value of the revised minimum and maximum grant levels.

The criteria for accessing the scheme include businesses that have an existing rate account with Cork City Council, have 250 employees or fewer, turnover of less than €100,000 per employee, commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed, intend to retain employees that are on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme; and reduced turnover by 25% as a result of COVID-19.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “Under the revised Restart Grant, support will also be provided for enterprises that could not access the original grant scheme. Non-rated B&Bs, Charities and rateable sports businesses will be eligible for a grant subject to a minimum grant of €4,000 and a maximum grant of €25,000”.Further information can be obtained from Cork City Council’s Rates Dept. at 021-4924484 or by e-mailing restartplus@corkcity.ie or log onto www.corkcity.ie”.