During August, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD, alongside Ministers of State, Dara Calleary TD and Emer Higgins TD, welcomed the news that under the Government’s Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant scheme, payments to 81,829 small and medium businesses around the country have now exceeded €200 million. The ICOB grant is designed to help SMEs cope with rising business costs and is administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A total of €257 million is available under the scheme, with further payments ongoing.

Celebrating these advancements, Minister Burke emphasised the importance of SMEs to the Irish economy and highlighted the government’s commitment to continuing support, particularly for the retail and hospitality sector, which have received double payments under the scheme.

For more on the ICOB scheme, please see here.