Chambers Ireland today (8 June 2020) welcomes news from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, that the Trading Online Voucher Scheme has received additional funding.

Speaking this afternoon, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said,

“Today’s announcement from Minister Humphreys and Minister Bruton that an additional €14.2 million will be made available for the Trading Online Scheme will be widely welcomed by businesses all over the country.

The demand for the Scheme over the past number of months has been significant. The ability to trade online has been a lifeline for so many businesses during the lockdown and will continue to be a valuable support, even as we move to Phase Two of reopening the economy. We had been raising the need for additional funding with Minister Humphreys, and so today’s news will be a relief to the many still hoping to apply.

COVID-19 has been extremely challenging for our local economies, and we are by no means out of the woods just yet. However, the capacity of businesses to innovate, particularly SMEs, during lockdown has proven to be a saving grace for so many retail and hospitality businesses.

Our message to Government is to emphasise that businesses have suffered immense economic damage over the past two to three months and will require as much financial support from the State in Phase Two and future phases, as they did during the lockdown.

If this support does not materialise, we risk permanently losing jobs over the coming months, further compounding the damage to the Irish economy.  We call on this Government, and the next, to ensure that businesses are appropriately supported to trade through this pandemic. All supports, financial and otherwise, must be made available in a timely and accessible manner, so that the recovery reaches all sectors, in all parts of the country.”

Mags Downeyy Martin, Ballina Chamber Manager added

“This is very positive news and great to receive on the day that Phase 2 of re-opening the country has commenced. Especially as we know that Local Enterprise Offices around the country has received 3 years’ worth of applications in 3 months following the #COVID19 outbreak. With such a huge demand from SMEs for the scheme, and grant aid of up to €5,000 available, (in two grants of €2,500 each) anyone who is not yet online MUST consider taking the plunge.
The Scheme also allows subscriptions to low-cost online retailing platform solutions to quickly set up a retailing presence online. So take this opportunity.”