To qualify businesses must have experienced a 30% drop in turnover due to Covid-19 restrictions and commit to reopening and hiring again.

Grants will be based on the amount of vouched additional expenditure and the businesses must be commercially focussed, have an up to date tax compliance certificate and operate within eligible sectors.

Speaking from K Leisure in Naas, Kildare, the Tánaiste said:

"Kildare is fully open for business, in line with public health guidelines. Today we’re announcing a Fund which will help businesses, not eligible under our other schemes with the costs of reopening. While many businesses have benefitted from the Restart Grant Plus and other government schemes, this is for small businesses with up to 10 staff that have not been eligible to any scheme to date. It is recognition of the difficulties in adapting to COVID-19 that they have had. Now is the time to shop local and I encourage everyone to think of their local business owner when doing their weekly shop or looking to buy something."