Local election candidate Murray urging businesses to apply for grants to help with rising costs
Businesses in Meath should act now and apply for a once-off Government grant to help them meet rising costs, a Fine Gael local election candidate has said
Linda Nelson Murray is urging Meath Co Council, which is currently administering the scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to proactively engage with businesses and allow them to apply for the scheme beyond the 1st May deadline.
“This €257 million scheme was announced in Budget 2024 by my colleague, former Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, and will provide a real boost to micro businesses and small and medium enterprises here in Meath.
“In County Meath some eligible businesses have yet to make a submission for the scheme and I would urge them to do so through the online portal at mycoco.ie. If they need assistance, businesses can also contact Meath County Council, which have written to all rate payers with a Customer ID and pin.
“The deadline of May 1st for Co Meath businesses to confirm their eligibility and upload verification details is fast approaching in a couple of weeks, and I would like to see this deadline extended to ensure they benefit from this vital support.
“For businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of less than €10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50per cent of the business’s Commercial Rate bill for 2023. For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the ICOB grant will be €5,000.
“There should also be pro-active direct email engagement by Local authorities and Local Enterprise Offices to ensure that entrepreneurs and business owners in Co Meath get a portion of their rates back.
“I am also pleased that Taoiseach Simon Harris and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke are working with Government colleagues to examine what additional supports can be provided to small and medium businesses, ahead of Budget 2025,”
“I chose to run with Fine Gael as I believe they are the party of small business and I know what it is like to be in business and feel all the pressure. We know small businesses are at the heart of our local communities and economies," she said.