Sinn Féin spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly, has written to Minister Peter Burke requesting his urgent intervention in the issues that have arisen in the Power Up Grant.

Louise O’Reilly said:

“I have today written to Minister Peter Burke requesting his intervention in the Power Up Grant. The Minister has seven days before applications close to intervene.

“I raised serious difficulties that have arisen with the grant. The first increased cost of business scheme, ICOB, had 17 categories but the 17 categories were reduced to two, namely, accommodation and food service, and wholesale and retail.

“Only the businesses that had classified themselves within those two categories in ICOB 1 got ICOB 2. The businesses within the other 15 classifications did not get any notification that they were ineligible for ICOB 2 and many did not follow up as, in many instances, only small payments were due because their rates bills were relatively small.

“Now, businesses that received ICOB 1 but not ICOB 2 are not eligible for Power Up. Likewise the website advises that businesses involved in the beauty industry can apply but since they were not an ICOB2 eligible business they are being told that they are not eligible.

“I have requested that the Minister extend the deadline, establish a helpline, issue detailed guidance and, vitally, open the grant up to all businesses who are eligible regardless of whether they received ICOB 2.

“A Sinn Féin government would stand up for these businesses. We would permanently cut their VAT rate to 9% and, most importantly, we would listen to and work with them.”