Mayo TDs clash over supports for businesses struggling to survive

Bureaucracy is stopping Mayo businesses desperately needing support from accessing them, according to Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh.

The Erris-based representative elaborated: "The increased cost of business, ICOB, and power up grants have been plagued with anomalies in their terms and conditions making it impossible for businesses to access the schemes.

"Will the cost of business forum, cited in the programme for government, engage with business representatives to provide accessible schemes which would be of use to businesses?

"Rather than an over-concentration in terms of the remuneration of workers' rights, the government should look in the other direction in terms of why businesses cannot access what has been announced for them.

"Across our cities, towns and villages, many in our constituency of Mayo, businesses have pulled down the shutters.

"Businesses are really struggling right now and there is much the government can do that it is not doing."

In response, Mayo Minister of State Alan Dillon said from having spoken to many businesses that have applied for ICOB grants 1 and 2 and the power up grant, he is aware they are essential grants and have been hugely beneficial across all sectors.

He outlined: "The department approved an overall budget of €257 million as part of the ICOB scheme.

"Some €246 million of that was expended on the scheme in 2024.

"On ICOB, my colleague, the Minister Peter Burke, has brought a memo to Cabinet on the appeals process.

"We understand there were challenges around the misclassification of certain sectors across retail, hospitality and beauty.

"We have engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on how we can ensure that those businesses which were misclassified and found to be ineligible for the scheme can reapply.

"We will take a number of steps over the coming weeks in order to address that."

Deputy Conway-Walsh also raised the issue of Enterprise Ireland being precluded from working with businesses with fewer than ten employees.

She explained: "Many smaller businesses work on a contract basis and, therefore, work on a different model.

"Modern work practices mean that businesses often contract in services such as graphic design, photography or social media support.

"Such employees are not staff of businesses, nor do they want to be. They are freelance workers.

"Will the Minister of State examine their status with Enterprise Ireland in order that they can support a greater number of businesses?

"We need systems that support the models that are being used in businesses in the here and now in order to ensure the sustainability of businesses into the future.

"We have to have practical and pragmatic support and interventions for businesses."