To ask the Minister for the Economy whether businesses with multiple outlets or sites were eligible for only one COVID-19-related grant per business, or for one grant per outlet or site.

One of the conditions of both the £10,000 and £25,000 Business Support Grant schemes, agreed by the Executive, was that businesses with multiple premises meeting eligibility criteria would only be eligible to receive one grant of £10,000 or £25,000 per business irrespective of how many properties the business occupied. Businesses were able to avail of one £10,000 grant and one £25,000 grant, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the schemes.

The same applied to the NI Microbusiness Hardship Fund with one grant payable per eligible business regardless of number of premises.

There was limited funding available for the schemes and the Executive took the decision to limit eligible businesses with multiple premises to one payment so that support could be offered to all potentially eligible businesses.

Part B of the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme, which is currently open for applications, is not restricted to one grant per business. As agreed by the Executive, and in line with the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme, businesses who meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme can receive support for multiple premises.