Chambers calls for extension on business support grant

Senator Lisa Chamber has called that the business support grant be extended.

The Fianna Fáil European election candidate in the Midlands-Northwest wrote to the Minister for Enterprise, asking that the deadline for the 'Increased Cost of Business' (ICOB) grant be extended.

While canvassing, Senator Chambers has been told repeatedly about critical economic pressures faced by businesses due to increased costs in energy, insurance, and the recent rise in minimum wage.

With only 30,000 out of 130,000 eligible businesses having applied for the grant, the senator expressed her concern about the low uptake of the grant program.

"This grant is a vital lifeline for small and medium enterprises navigating the challenging economic landscape," she stated. 

Senator Chambers continued: "Extending the deadline beyond May 1st is essential to enhance awareness and accessibility of the grant, ensuring that more businesses can secure the support they need to sustain their operations and protect jobs."

The European election candidate said she is committed to the economic health of the Midlands-Northwest region and dedication to ensuring that local businesses are not left to ‘face these challenges without adequate support’.