Enterprise Support Grant available for sole traders impacted by Covid-19

Applications for the Irish Government’s Enterprise Support Grant are now open. The newly revamped grant is designed to assist self-employed people who have been impacted by Covid-19.

Worth up to €1,000 per person, it is aimed at sole traders who do not pay commercial rates, and therefore do not qualify for the Restart Grant Plus Scheme.

The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises. But it has now been upgraded 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.

“The Enterprise Support Grant is designed to assist the self-employed, who are crucial to our economic recovery, to get back on their feet following the Covid-19 outbreak,” said Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.

“Thousands of sole traders and small business owners right across the country have in recent months been in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). For many, this was the first time they ever had to apply for State support. The PUP was a vital lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, found themselves out of work. That’s why I took the decision to extend the payment until April of next year.

“In the past, the Enterprise Support Grant was designed to assist people in opening a business. Now 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. So if you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work – this grant may be of interest to you.”

According to the Department of Social Protection, this grant will assist those people who transitioned from PUP into self-employment since 18 May. Once-off funding of up to a maximum €1,000 will be available to assist them with reopening their business. 

The grant seeks to support micro self-employed enterprises, not currently eligible for similar grant funding through other departments. It 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 €1m.