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Enterprise Support Grant for businesses impacted by COVID-19
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Enterprise Support Grant is available to assist eligible self-employed recipients who close their COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
This will provide business owners with a grant of up to €1,000 to restart their business which was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you claimed the grant in 2020 but found yourself back on COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment in 2021, you will be able to access the €1,000 grant for a second time if you close your COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment on or after 1 June 2021. The Enterprise Support Grant will remain in place for the rest of the year for self-employed people who close their PUP payment.
The Grant will be awarded to self-employed people who:
- are tax and PRSI compliant
- are not liable for commercial rates
- have been in receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and have closed their claim
- have reopened their business which was closed due to the pandemic
- employ less than 10 people
- have an annual turnover of less than €1 million
- are not eligible for similar COVID-19 business restart grants from other government departments
- can produce VAT receipts/invoices in respect of business restart costs and expenses claimed, if requested to do so by the department
Funding will be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 for first time application.
If you claimed the grant in 2020 but found yourself back on COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment in 2021, you will be able to access the €1,000 grant for a second time if you close your COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment on or after 1 June 2021.
The grant will be awarded for costs related to reopening your business, including:
- safety measures
- business advice or mentoring
- repairs
- fuel
- wages
Complete the COVID-19 ESG 1 application form below and return it to your local Intreo Centre.
Application Form: Enterprise Support Grant (ESG1)
Enterprise Support Grant - COVID-19 support for Micro-Enterprises
DownloadYou must retain all receipts and invoices for one year from the date of payment of this grant for inspection by the department.
