Taoiseach Simon Harris had announced a wide range of new supports for micro-businesses and SMEs.

The Government has developed a 15 point plan, which provides certainty and some much-needed relief, based on feedback from businesses up and down this country.

Key points

Missed applying for last round of Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Support Grant (50% of rates back up to €5k)?  – Re-Opening for a limited period.

Good news for shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, gastro-pubs, hotels  – Second round of targeted ICOB grants for Retail & Hospitality

To upgrade heating, lighting, electrical appliances in your shop – Increase of the Energy Efficiency Grant from €5k to €10k

Expanding loans from Microfinance Ireland from €25k to €50k, widening eligibility of Trading Online Vouchers and lots more.