SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
The Foyle MLA made the comments after receiving a disappointing response to her letter urging Economy Minister, Diane Dodds to secure the extension of the support scheme.
Said Ms McLaughlin: “Earlier this week I wrote to Minister Dodds on the urgent need to extend the business support scheme so that businesses can survive and properly plan for the future.
“Today I received a response from the Department that says, ‘There is currently no budget in place to continue with the CRBSS’.
“It is seriously worrying that Diane Dodds appears not to be proactively pushing for this scheme to be extended beyond March.
“This scheme has been a lifeline for so many businesses.
“It is imperative that it continues to be available for as long as the enforced closures remain in place.
“It is the minister’s responsibility to create a level of stability.
“It is also concerning that the response from the Department points to the upcoming Self Employed scheme grants, noting that many CRBSS applicants will be eligible for those.
“I am worried that this indicates a sense of complacency and is a suggestion that those SEISS grants will be enough to sustain local businesses.
“A significant number of businesses that have been in receipt of CRBSS will not be entitled to SEISS.
“I hope I am proven wrong.
“If the Minister fails to extend the scheme, she will be forcing many businesses into acute financial distress.”
