Dillon encourages businesses to apply for enhanced restart payment

FOLLOWING the announcement that indoor hospitality may reopen this week, Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon is encouraging businesses who may now reopen to make a claim for an enhanced restart Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) payment.

Under the scheme, businesses may claim for the restart payment within eight weeks of the date of reopening.

Claims can be made via the claim portal in respect of CRSS, which is available via the eRepayments system on ROS. Revenue has updated their guidelines to assist businesses and these can be found at this link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf.

Businesses who qualified for CRSS that are reopening after June 2 are eligible for an enhanced ‘restart week’ payment, which will cover a period of three weeks at double the normal rate. This will assist them with the additional costs of reopening.

Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, said: “The CRSS has proved to be a significant support for businesses that were affected by public health regulations, which meant they had to restrict access to their premises. The Act gives enhanced support to these businesses on reopening and I would encourage them to apply for the triple week payment at double the normal rate.”

As of July 15, there were 22,800 businesses with 26,800 premises registered for CRSS with Revenue (this includes those at applicant stage). Of these, 12,300 have claimed ‘restart’ weeks and are now trading without the support of CRSS.

Said Deputy Dillon: “It has been a really difficult time for many, and it has been very difficult for businesses who were asked to remain closed to help get ahead of this virus and protect lives. The CRSS is just one part of the government’s supports, which also include the wage subsidy schemes and temporary reduction in the VAT rate.

“I want to wish all business who have reopened this week the very best of luck.”