Revenue update: claiming CRSS ‘Restart Week’ as public health restrictions ease

Last Thursday (29/4/2021), the Government announced the path ahead for the easing of public health restrictions. From 10 May, all outdoor retail, personal services and non-essential retail (for click and collect and in-store appointments) can open, while on 17 May all non-essential retail can fully re-open.

Today (7/5/2021) Revenue confirmed that it will operate an enhancement to the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), on an administrative basis pending the enactment of the necessary legislation, whereby eligible businesses resuming trading activities can claim a ‘Restart Week’ payment (in effect double the normal weekly CRSS payment rate) for a period of two weeks to assist them with the additional costs of reopening. For example, a hairdresser reopening on 10 May can claim a ‘Restart Week’ payment, for each of the weeks commencing 10 May and 17 May. The amount that may be claimed in respect of each ‘Restart Week’ is subject to the maximum weekly amount payable under the scheme of €5,000.

Businesses who are registered for CRSS and are now resuming their trading activities can make their claim for ‘Restart Week’ payments from next Wednesday, 12 May 2021, via the eRepayments service in ROS. Payment will generally be made within 3 days of the submission of a qualifying claim.

Where businesses can reopen without having to prohibit or significantly restrict access to their premises, as outlined in the relevant public health regulations, they can claim two ‘Restart Week’ payments to assist with reopening costs but thereafter no longer qualify for CRSS. Additionally, businesses that can reopen but decide not to do so will not be eligible for CRSS payments (including ‘Restart Week’ payments) for the periods where they choose to remain closed.

Some businesses including hotels, B&B’s, restaurants, bars, gyms, swimming pools, etc. are still required to either prohibit access to their premises or remain fully closed until at least next month. These businesses still qualify for CRSS, and provided all other eligibility conditions are met, can continue to claim payment under the scheme. As these businesses re-open, in line with public health guidelines, they too can make a claim for two ‘Restart Week’ payments under the scheme to assist them with the costs of reopening. However, thereafter such businesses no longer qualify for CRSS.

Detailed information on the CRSS, including in relation to claiming the ‘Restart week’, can be found at Guidelines on the operation of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme.

[Ends 7/5/2021]