Applications have opened for the newly revamped Enterprise Support Grant, designed to assist the self-employed as they get back on their feet following Covid-19.

Applications have opened for the newly revamped Enterprise Support Grant, designed to assist the self-employed as they get back on their feet following Covid-19.
The grant, worth up to €1,000 per person, is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers, who do not pay commercial rates and therefore do not qualify for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.
The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises.
It has now been revamped to specifically provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the Pandemic.
Funding for the scheme was secured by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys during negotiations on a July Jobs stimulus package.
She has said the self employed are crucial to our economic recovery and said the grant “will help them get back on their feet.”
“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,” Minister Humphreys said.
The Department of Social Protection has said that this grant will assist those people who transitioned from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment into self-employment since 18 May, which marked Phase One of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
This grant seeks to support micro self-employed enterprises, not currently eligible for similar grant funding through other Departments.
The support is available to small business owners who employ fewer than 10 people, are not liable for commercial rates and have an annual turnover of less than €1 million – providing kick-start funding to those enterprises that do not have an entitlement to other business re-start grants.
It will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by an applicant to re-open their business covering their costs up to €1,000.
The Department said anyone wishing to apply for the grant can download the application form on www.welfare.ie and, when completed should be sent to their local Intreo Centre.