Our online application system for the ReStart Grant Scheme has been temporarily suspended following the announcement of the Government’s July Stimulus Package.
The ReStart Scheme is being expanded and the application process has to be adjusted accordingly to reflect the changes.
To find out more about the Stimulus package, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b8bc5-july-jobs-stimulus-plan/.
We hope to back online shortly.
Thank you for your patience.
Re-Start – a Fund to Reconnect Small and Micro Businesses with their Employees and Customers
Re-Start - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of business can apply?
Subject to the qualifying criteria below, any business that has a commercially rateable premises, or where rates are paid on your behalf and attributable to the business premises you occupy, can apply. Multiple chain stores, i.e. a business that is a non-financially independent branch of a group of chain stores which is owned and managed by a single entity, are not eligible. Non-commercial organisations such as community and sporting premises (including charity shops and community and sporting premises with a bar) are not eligible. Businesses that do not operate from commercially rateable premises (tradesmen, service providers, etc) are not eligible. Premises that were vacant prior to the Covid-19 emergency are not eligible for the grant.
2. How soon will I get my grant?
On average, we hope to issue approval within one week. This depends, of course, on the initial volume of applications. Applications will be processed in relation to anticipated re-opening dates, in line with the Government’s strategy for the re-opening of the economy. To see the table click
here
3. How much will I get?
The grant will be the amount of your rates demand in respect of calendar year 2019 only, subject to a minimum of €2,000 and a maximum of €10,000. In the event that your rates demand was reduced on appeal, the appeal rate will apply to an amount of the grant if the grant is over €2,000.
4. If my rates demand for calendar year 2019 was less than €2,000 can I receive a grant of €2,000?
Yes.
5. What can I use the grant for?
The grant is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers. The grant could be used to defray ongoing fixed costs, e.g. utilities, insurance, refurbishment or for measures to ensure employee and customer safety.
6. If my premises was not rate assessed in 2019 am I eligible?
Yes. The local authority will endeavour to assess what your rates demand for 2019 would have been and, if, for any reason, an estimate cannot be made the minimum grant of €2,000 will be paid.
7. If I have not paid my 2019 rates, am I eligible?
Yes.
8. If my rates are in arrears, am I eligible?
Yes.
9. How do I apply?
10. How will the grant be paid?
The grant will be paid by electronic transfer to the business account detailed on the application form.
11. What are the criteria for qualifying for the grant?
A business must have a turnover of less than €5m and have 50 or less employees.
The business must have suffered a projected 25%+ loss in revenue from 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2020.
The business must commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed. The business must also declare the intention to retain employees that are benefitting from the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
Businesses should retain supporting documentation as spot-checks may be carried out to verify a declaration to this effect.
12. When is the closing date?
The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 August 2020.
13. What is my Customer Number?
Your Customer Number is located on your commercial rates demand.
14. What is my Rate Number?
Your Rate Number (or LAID) is located on your commercial rates demand.
15. What is my Business Category?
Business Categories, based on the Government’s Roadmap for a phased re-opening of the economy, are as set out below:
- Phase 0: Business never closed.
- Phase 1: (18 May) Hardware, garden centres, opticians, motor/cycle repairs, office products, electrical, IT equipment, phone sales/repairs, outdoor construction, public amenities.
- Phase 2: Small retail outlets, marts.
- Phase 3: Creches for essential workers, retail outlets with street entrance, cafes, and restaurants for on-premises consumption.
- Phase 4: Creches, ‘high-risk’ services including hairdressers, tourism accommodation.
- Phase 5: Bars, theatres, cinemas, gyms, shopping centres.
16. What is my Revenue Number?
Your revenue number is your Tax Registration Number (TRN) which is a business’ number for all dealings with Revenue.
17. What is a Bank Statement Header?
The bank statement header is the top of a recent bank statement indicating your business name and address and business bank account number, which should be scanned and uploaded as an attachment to the application form to verify your business name and address, and your bank account details.
18. How do I sign the form?
Applicants should type in their name and by pressing “Submit” they are confirming that all details are correct/true.
19. Do I need to submit a Tax Clearance Access Number?
If you are making applications related to a number of businesses/premises (totalling grants of €10,000 or more), or if you are supplying goods/services to the local authority, you must submit a Tax Clearance Access Number to allow your tax clearance status to be checked.
20. Where can I get more information?
21. If I am not happy with the decision to refuse my grant can I appeal?
Refusals of grant applications can be appealed within 7 days of the date of notification of the decision.
Decisions can only be appealed on the grounds of the refusal within the terms and conditions of the scheme and must be made by email to
restartgrantappeals@fingal.ie
Appeals will be acknowledged in writing within 5 business days of being received.
The appeal will be decided within 21 business days of being received and the decision of the Appeal Board will be final.
22.I am a Childcare Provider, can I apply for the COVID-19 Restart Grant and Department of Children and Youth Affairs(DCYA) supports
Among the COVID-19 Business supports available the Department of Children and Youth Affairs(DCYA) are offering two reopening supports specifically to Childcare Providers: a DCYA Capital Grant and a DCYA Reopening Support Payment.
Childcare Providers who apply for the DCYA Reopening Support Payment cannot then apply for the COVID-19 Restart Grant.
Childcare Providers who have already received or are due to receive the COVID-19 Restart Grant must declare the amount due/received in the application form to the DCYA and this will be offset against the Reopening Support Payment.
Childcare Providers who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for the DCYA Capital Grant.
Receiving the DCYA Capital Grant does not affect whether you can apply for the DCYA Reopening Support Payment or the COVID-19 Restart Grant.
GUIDANCE ON COMPLETION OF THE RE-START APPLICATION FORM - PLEASE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH FAQ'S BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FORM
Before you begin will need some details in relation to your business. These details include the following and it is useful to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions prior to submitting your application.
- Customer Number and Rate Number – you will find these on your Rate Demand. See FAQ 13 & 14 for further details.
- Please note that if you have more than one Rates Account Premises/Number you will need to make a grant application for each Rates Account Number and its associated LAID(s) premises.
- If you moved premises since 2019 your grant will be equivalent to the rate payable for your current premises subject to minimum, maximum amounts & eligibility criteria.
- Revenue Registration Number for your company/business
- Eircode for your company/business
- Bank header - To ensure there are no delays in processing your application, please check the following when uploading your bank header:
It must be a business account, in the same name as the business or the registered business owner (if a sole trader) i.e. it cannot be an individual’s name if it’s a limited company and must be an Irish bank accounts only
BIC, IBAN and account name and address must all be clearly visible.
Account name must match the Company Business/Trading name on the application.
BIC & IBAN must match the BIC and IBAN entered when filling the online application
Must be recent (within the last 6 months)
- Tax Clearance Access Number - See FAQ 19 for further details
- Turnover in 2019 – note turnover for full year 2019 is required see FAQ 11 for further details
- Closure and opening dates – both dates required unless you have remained open
- Number of Employees –in employment at the end of February 2020.
- Email Address – please ensure that it is correct as all correspondence regarding the grant application will be by email.
Please note – You do not have to complete the application in one sitting - you can save a draft and come back again to finish the application, however, you will have to keep a record of your username and password to avail of this facility.
Please ensure that all fields are completed fully and correctly in order to avoid any delays in processing your application.
When you submit your application form you will receive an Application ID (beginning with an A…..) Please quote this full ID for all correspondence to the restart team.
Correspondence / enquiries about your application should be addressed to the dedicated email address restartgrant@fingal.ie