COVID 19 – TEN KEY PIECES OF INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES

Staff at the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny are here to help…

(056) 7752662 info@leo.kilkennycoco.ie   www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny

1. To maintain the health of yourself and your staff - please adhere to the HSE Guidelines at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

2. Should you or a staff member need to self-isolate or are ill arising from COVID -19 please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/

3. Assess your business current and short term trading position. Contact the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny and we will provide an expert mentor to assist you by phone, skype etc. - email info@leo.kilkennycoco.ie or click on www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny;

4. Review your business cashflow, identifying all critical payments. A business continuity action plan template can be accessed at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Business-Continuity-Planning-A-checklist-of-Preparatory-Actions-in-Responding-to-the-COVID-19-Outbreak.html. Staff at the Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny are on hand to assist you with this;

5. Contact your business banking partners to access their advice on any lending facilities you have place;

6. Upon review of your cashflow, should you feel loan finance for cashflow is of any assistance, review the COVID -19 loan packages currently on offer from Microfinance Ireland at https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages/covid19/ and for larger businesses the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland https://sbci.gov.ie/;

7. Review the Revenue advice to businesses issued last week relating to making returns - https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/press-releases/2020/pr-130320-revenue-announce-measures-to-assist-smes-experiencing-cashflow-difficulties-arising-from-covid-19.aspx

8. Consider the options open to you for your employees such as short-time working options, etc. and review the information on supports available from the Department of Social Protection through their INTREO Offices at:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Kilkenny/Kilkenny/News/Press-Releases/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information-for-Employers-and-Employees.html

9. Should you need to temporarily cease trading, review the information on the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/News-and-Events/COVID-19-Pandemic-Unemployment-Payment-How-to-claim-the-Emergency-Payment.html. Employers are asked to print these forms for employees if possible and for applications and information to be accessed online rather that attending the Local INTREO Office;

10. This is very stressful time, mind your mental as well as physical health. New, reliable information will be posted on www.localenterprise.ie/kilkenny and on our social media channels as it comes available, access information for your business from reliable sources.