Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has urged all eligible Co Louth business owners to apply for the Increased Cost of Business Grant (ICOB) worth up to €5,000 before the closing date for applications of May 1.
Senator McGreehan has been informed that only 38% of all eligible businesses locally have availed of the grant to date. A total of 3,393 are eligible for the grant in Co Louth – 1,309 have made submissions as of April 24.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, May 1.
An increased package of €257 million for the ICOB grant was announced as part of Budget 2024. The grant is intended to be paid at a rate of half the enterprise’s commercial rates bill in 2023 for firms paying up to €10,000 in rates. For those paying between €10,000 and €30,000 in rates, they will receive a grant of €5,000.
Senator McGreehan said: “I am acutely aware of the ongoing cost challenges faced by businesses across Louth. It has been my priority and the priority of Fianna Fáil in Government to listen and respond to those challenges.
“I received confirmation from my party colleague Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Dara Calleary TD, that only 38% of all eligible businesses in Co Louth have applied for the ICOB grant as of April 24.
“I would encourage all eligible business owners in the county to apply for the grant worth €5,000 and to do so before the May 1 deadline. This scheme is designed to help those businesses who need it most to meet their increased costs. I particularly welcome the adjustments that have been made to the original scheme design to include more businesses and the efforts made to target the small and micro enterprises who are part of the fabric of every community across the country.”
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/News/Increased-Cost-of-Business-ICOB-Grants-Scheme-2024.html
