The Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment has recently launched the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) which is intended to target those businesses with operating costs that do not qualify for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The eligibility criteria for both schemes are similar. The main difference between SBASC and CRSS is the requirement, in the case of CRSS, for the public to have access to a business premises. SBASC also aligns with recently announced grant schemes for the tourism, arts and entertainment sectors. 

The grant, which is available as a contribution towards fixed costs to assist a business to keep operational for an eventual re-opening, is only available to an applicant operating from a rateable property. The scheme covers the period 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021.  Each eligible applicant will receive a payment of €4,000 with an additional payment of €4,000 from May 2021 to applicants continuing to meet the scheme eligibility criteria, which is set out in the Frequently Asked Questions.

The closing date for applications for the initial grant under SBASC is 21 April 2021.

To submit your application please complete the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC) online form.

Any queries should be sent to sbasc@wexfordcoco.ie .

Should you require an Irish language version of the form please contact us.