Taxi drivers, beauticians, plumbers and other tradesmen and sole traders are to get a €1,000 lump sum from the Government to help them get through the Covid-19 downturn.
The cash help is being given out to these groups of workers because they were left out of previous supports schemes for small businesses that were administered based on rates.
But many people who run their own little businesses don’t pay any rates as they would not have a shop or workspace.
This addresses that problem and extends supports to the tens of thousands who had been caught in this trap and weren’t eligible for grants.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, said: “In the past, the Enterprise Support Grant was designed to assist people in opening a business.
“Today, I’m opening applications to people who need assistance in getting back on their feet and their businesses back up and running.
“Whether it’s paying wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE or signage – this is an important grant to assist the self-employed to reopen their business and get back doing what they do best: Providing crucial and essential services in their communities.
“So if you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road – this grant may be of interest to you.”
