Additional supports needed for businesses not covered by CRSS- Doherty

Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty has called for additional supports for businesses not covered by the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme.

Speaking about the scheme, Senator Doherty said: “Thousands of normally viable businesses have benefited from the crucial supports introduced quickly by the Government when the pandemic hit, and as a result they will be able to reopen fully as soon as it is safe to do so.

“So far, over 20,000 businesses have made claims for CRSS payments of €239 million to ensure they survive this tough business period.

“While the scheme has been a lifeline for many businesses, others who have been impacted by the pandemic are not covered by it and we need to ensure they receive supports.

“For example the CRSS does not cover those without premises. It is designed to support those businesses in covering certain fixed costs that come with having premises such as rent or a mortgage, insurance and perhaps even security.

“However, many other types of businesses have seen their income collapse as a result of this pandemic. Businesses whose customers are not the end users of the product or service they provide, but as their customers are closed, they cannot operate. Take for example businesses who supply pubs and hotels, for whom demand for their services has dropped completely. Also affected are event management companies and hotels for whom events would normally bring in income.  Across the country, suppliers of customer facing businesses have found their own business has been severely impacted.

“Government has been working to assist businesses that are impacted by COVID-19 but have not been able to avail of supports like CRSS. Additional supports have already been provided to the tourism sector for example.  We need to examine support for businesses without the responsibilities and costs that come with having premises, or who supply customer facing businesses, but whose own income has collapsed due to the pandemic. We want these businesses to be able to resume trading once restrictions are lifted and they must be supported over the coming months.”