Approximately €2.8M has been paid to Tipperary based business operators under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme. Tipperary County Council administers the scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise.
Councillors at yesterday’s Plenary meeting were informed that 2,600 applications for the grant aid – a cash payment calculated on the businesses rates bill – were received. Approximately 1,500 have been fully processed while the remainder are being resolved in some cases needing additional information from the applicant. The cash grant of a maximum of €5,000 is available to businesses whose rates bill is up to and including €30,000.
The Government introduced a second round of ICOB payments for businesses in the Hospitality and Retailing sector and these are currently being processed by the Finance section of the council. The Government is adamant that the scheme is a once off despite a number the increases in operating costs for businesses being permanent in terms of changes to minimum wages, statutory sick leave entitlements and auto enrolment on pensions schemes.
