To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will re-open applications under the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme in light of the delays in adjudicating on Localised Restrictions Grant applications.

I am pleased to advise that the CRBSS reopened to support affected businesses on 7 January.

The CRBSS will maintain the previous payment structure and payments will be issued automatically to previously successful applicants.

The scheme will also open for businesses that have now fallen within scope of the restrictions, and which were not previously eligible to apply. For businesses which were previously eligible but did not apply, they may now apply and, if successful, will receive backdated payments for the full period which restrictions applied to the business.

This continuing support to businesses in Northern Ireland, alongside the unprecedented national schemes provided by the UK Government, will put us in the best position to rebuild a stronger economy throughout 2021.