To ask the Minister for the Economy what support she plans to provide to estate agents who are unable to access the COVID-19: Small Business Support Grant Scheme.

The Small Business Support Grant Scheme is open to all businesses who are in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or Industrial Derating and who have a Total Net Annual Value (NAV) of £15,000 or below.

Businesses with a Total NAV of between £15,001 and £51,000 in the retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors are eligible to apply for the £25,000 Business Support Grant scheme. However, this does not include estate agents as they are not classified under these sectors for rating purposes. This scheme was launched as the retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors have been some of the most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department acknowledges that not all businesses can avail of the support provided by the existing grant schemes which were agreed by the Executive. As you will appreciate, this is an evolving situation and my Department, along with Executive colleagues, is working to identify means of offering support to local businesses during this difficult time.

The Executive has approved an additional £40 million for a Hardship Fund which is aimed at microbusinesses who do not qualify for the existing schemes and require financial support. The Hardship Fund was announced on 5 May. An estimated 8,000 businesses will be eligible for this scheme. Further details including eligibility and application arrangements will be announced in the week commencing 11 May 2020.

The Department recognises the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis on businesses. For those businesses who do not meet the criteria required for the Business Support Grant Schemes, there is a range of further support available including the three months business rates holiday for all Northern Ireland businesses and UK-wide level support including the Coronavirus Business interruption Schemes, Bounce Back Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Information on further support can be found at NI Business Info: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus