To ask the Minister of Finance, in relation to support given to Soft Play Businesses under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme, whether a decision has been made to consider such support and payments ineligible; and to detail any attempts to claw back payments.

Soft play businesses have been required to close under the Health Regulations since 27 November 2020 and are entitled to support under the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS) from that date.

A number of soft play businesses applied for support as cafés in the earlier period of restrictions that began on 16 October 2020 and were paid. Where the café within a soft play centre is run as a separate business, the café is entitled to support from this earlier date. Where the café forms an integral part of the main business, and is not separately run, then the business is only entitled to LRSS support from 27 November 2020.

Any soft play business that has been paid erroneously for the period between 16 October and 27 November, will have future payments to which it is entitled reduced by the amount that it has been paid in error. This will have the effect of addressing the overpayments. My Department will only seek repayment of an erroneous payment if it is clear there is an overpaid balance after consideration has been given to the business’s entitlement for support for the entire duration of Restrictions.

Soft play businesses were required to remain closed over the summer period and were only permitted to reopen on 14 September 2020. In recognition of that extended period of closure, I have obtained Executive approval for a retrospective payment of financial assistance for these business between 4 July 2020 and 14 September 2020.