Cabinet will consider approving a new enterprise support package tomorrow to assist retail and hospitality businesses hit hard by higher costs.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will fund the plan by tapping unused funds from a €257 million business support scheme.
It allowed businesses to claim 50% of last year’s rates bill up to €10,000, giving business owners a maximum grant of €5,000.
Minister Burke will suggest another round of grants for eligible businesses in the retail and hospitality sector.
Last month, the Taoiseach Simon Harris said a key priority for him would be to provide new supports for businesses, amid complaints from the sector that they were being burdened with higher costs.
For example, the minimum wage was increased to €12.70 this January but employers argued they were landed with higher costs because the PRSI threshold for the higher rate remained the same.
It’s understood Minister Burke’s memo to government could see that changed as well.
