In a letter In a statement to the House, the Government has announced the additional measures being introduced, in connection with the partial lockdown, to the support schemes designed to combat the financial consequences of the coronavirus crisis.
It is mainly a question of extending the existing support and recovery package.
Breathing in unison
The Government would first of all like to emphasise that most of the existing measures are scaled in line with the loss of turnover. The greater the loss of turnover – for example, due to the partial lockdown – the higher the contribution that business owners receive under the NOW and/or TVL schemes.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for the first instalment of the TVL must be submitted by 5.00 pm on 30 October 2020 at the latest (this covers the period June–September 2020; therefore, before the partial lockdown)!
And the support scheme for self-employed people, the TOZO, provides higher payments the greater the loss of income.
Labour market
The central government is taking the lead by working with partners to explore how supply and demand in the labour market can be brought into balance. Certain sectors (the events industry is cited as an example) have (virtually) ground to a halt, whilst other sectors (such as healthcare) are crying out for extra staff.
Hospitality
A one-off grant is provided to food and drink establishments. This is intended to cover the costs of perishable stock and investments made to enable them to generate turnover during the winter.
The one-off grant can be applied for by business owners who successfully submit a TVL application. The grant amounts to 2.75% of the loss of turnover. On average, this is estimated to amount to a grant of €2,500 for a “typical pub owner”.
This grant is in addition to the TVL grant. It is not subject to the TVL grant’s maximum limit of €90,000. No separate application is required for this grant. RVO will add the amount to the TVL grant.
Extension of the TVL
The TVL scheme will be opened up to all sectors (except credit and financial institutions) in the fourth quarter of 2020. The restriction based on SBI codes will be temporarily lifted. However, the SBI codes will continue to be used as the basis for determining the level of fixed costs.
Events sector
A one-off, specific scheme is being set up for the events sector to support businesses in this sector during the winter period. Entrepreneurs are eligible for this scheme if they:
- was eligible for TVL 1.0, but will not be eligible for TVL Q4-2020 due to a reference turnover that is too low in the fourth quarter of 2019;
- falls within an SBI code designated as event-related;
- can demonstrate that it has organised at least one festival or event, or that at least 70% of its turnover depends on supplies to festivals or events.
Under this scheme, the amount of the TVL grant in Q4 is based on the amount of the grant under TVL 1.0.
Sport
The sport-specific support package will be amended and reopened for applications. This concerns the Support Scheme for Sports Venue Landlords (TVS) and the Support Scheme for Amateur Sports Organisations (TASO).
The focus is specifically on the financial losses incurred by swimming pools and ice rinks. The results of a study into the financial impact and key challenges facing amateur sports clubs are expected in mid-November.