Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty TD is calling for urgent relief efforts for small businesses whose turnovers are taking a hit as a result of coronavirus.
Doherty has written to Revenue and to the Minister for Finance requesting that a VAT deferral be given to small businesses and the tourism and hospitality sector as a support during the slump.
Deputy Doherty said: “Due to the shock already experienced to our tourism industry, growing numbers of small businesses across a number of sectors could face serious liquidity issues in the coming weeks and months.
“Sinn Féin welcomes the measures announced on 9th March, including a €200 million package in liquidity funding. However, it is essential that Revenue considers a wider range of measures to support small businesses at this time, especially in our hospitality and tourism sectors.”
Doherty has welcomed Revenue’s call for businesses to engage if they are experiencing cash flow problems and difficulties in making timely tax payments.
Meanwhile, he has written to Revenue and to the Minister for Finance asking what specific measures have been taken to address cash flow problems and to request that a further suite of measures be considered.
Doherty explained: “This includes a facility for affected SMEs to defer VAT payments for the next three months. These sectors employ thousands of workers throughout our State and are themselves a part of wider supply chains and services. It is important that they are given as much certainty as possible in the time ahead.
“This is a difficult time for our SME sector and an uncertain time for workers. It is essential that all that can be done is done to support workers and communities in the time ahead.”
