To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she intends to bring forward a grant scheme to assist businesses experiencing a downturn in trade as a result of COVID-19 public health restrictions but are not legally required to close.

The Department of Finance’s Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS) seeks to support those businesses in commercial premises which were severely restricted in use or forced to close directly by the Health Protection Regulations.

I recognise that not all businesses who have been directly affected by the restrictions are able to access support through this scheme. I have therefore introduced the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme (CRBSS) to provide support to restricted businesses which do not qualify for support through LRSS and businesses in the supply chain of restricted businesses.

Part B of the CRBSS was introduced to support businesses who are not required to close as a result of the Health Protection Regulations but have been directly impacted. This part of the scheme is open to business who supply goods or services to a business named in the regulations, or is reliant upon such a business being open and fully operational in order to trade, and has been severely impacted as result. Details of the scheme are available at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/covid-restrictions-business-support-scheme-part-b.

I will continue to examine and pursue further means to support the local economy and business sectors in whatever way possible. In considering further interventions, including additional funding or packages of financial support, it will be for the Executive collectively, to determine how this will be allocated to best support economic recovery moving forward.