To ask the Minister for the Economy what financial support she intends to provide to Allied Health professional businesses in independent practice unable to access the Coronavirus Business Support Grant Schemes and the NI Micro-business Hardship Fund.

I am aware of the hardship faced by businesses across the economy, including Allied Health Professional businesses, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, regulation and policy for Allied Health Professionals is the responsibility of the Department of Health. I will continue to work with my Executive colleagues to consider what further support we can provide as we seek to make our economic recovery. Any decisions on funding of further business support measures, and the respective employment and business sectors within these, will require Executive agreement.

Allied Health Professional businesses were eligible to apply for both the Small Business Support Grant scheme and the NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund provided the eligibility criteria were met.

Outside of the Business Support Schemes implemented by my Department, other local and UK-wide support has been available to businesses. In Northern Ireland, all businesses have received a four months rates holiday, and a full year’s rates relief has been introduced for businesses in the retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. A range of UK-wide measures are available such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. Details of these schemes can be found at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus.