Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Sunday 16°CMonday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
BusinessCoronavirusDerry CityNews

Coronavirus: Financial support for ‘excluded traders and sporting bodies’

written by cassoscoop October 22, 2020
ShareTweet

Derry has been under new lockdown restrictions since Monday, October 5

STORMONT Executive ministers are set to approve financial support for traders and sporting bodies hit by the Covid-19 restrictions who so far have not received help.

Thursday’s executive meeting will see Economy Minister Diane Dodds put forward proposals.

It is believed ministers plan to bring in a tiered system of weekly payments.

Meanwhile a package of £20-25 million is being considered for sporting bodies who may have to play games without fans.

Many small firms and those who are self-employed, claim they have been excluded from other support schemes and cannot trade under the restrictions.

It is understood traders who are eligible for the proposed scheme could get payments ranging from £400 a week, up to £1,200.

On Wednesday, Mrs Dodds said she had completed the grant scheme, but needed agreement on “further support for tourism and hospitality”, and those who recently became self-employed.

She said she was hoping for “urgent agreement” from executive colleagues at Thursday’s meeting.

It is aimed at those businesses who fall outside a support scheme announced by the Department of Finance last week, which mainly applied to commercial ratepayers and did not include some people who work in close contact services forced to close – hairdressers who rent chairs in hair salons, for example.

GAA and Ulster Rugby are playing matches without fans.

But Irish League football clubs are playing with a limited number of spectators.

Irish League clubs have warned that without compensation they will be placed in financial uncertainty.

Last weekend, Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín wrote to Irish League clubs asking them to play behind closed doors.

However, the move was opposed by First Minister Arlene Foster, who said current restrictions did not bar fans.

The existing Localised Restrictions Support Scheme has already received about 7,500 applications from businesses since it opened on Monday.

The Department of Finance has now decided to pay out the full four-week amount in a single payment to businesses.

Ministers are also expected to discuss the latest modelling paper from the Department of Health regarding the spread of the virus in Northern Ireland, and the impact of the current restrictions.

NI’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride had said it will take two to three weeks before the effect can be clearly assessed.

The Derry City and Strabane District Council area, which was placed under tighter lockdown restrictions earlier than the rest of Northern Ireland is starting to see a decline in the number of cases recorded.

It is believed some ministers may also raise the Department of Health’s decision to publish evidence that was used to inform the NI-wide interventions imposed by the executive on Friday.

The evidence has been heavily criticised by business groups, with some describing the documents as “flimsy”.

Sinn Féin has called for all of the detail including modelling to be made public.

Health Minister Robin Swann defended the executive’s approach and said the context of the evidence should not be misrepresented.

On Wednesday, First Minister Arlene Foster said “doing nothing was not an option” open to the executive and that ministers had to act last week to stop the health service from becoming overwhelmed.

Coronavirus: Financial support for ‘excluded traders and sporting bodies’ was last modified: October 22nd, 2020 by cassoscoop

Tags:
cafesCoronavirus: Financial support for 'excluded traders and sporting bodies'Derry CityDERRY CITY AND STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCILEconomy Minister Diane DoddshotelspubsrestaurantsSTORMONT EXECUTIVE
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Man charged to court over Derry drugs...

15 hours ago

Rory Gallagher Festival gets green light for...

16 hours ago

Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

1 day ago

Man arrested over Class C drugs seizure...

1 day ago

Boyce hat-trick sends Derry City into seventh...

2 days ago

Dance company loses appeal over 100% annual...

2 days ago

Unmissable music events coming to the Abbey...

2 days ago

Derry priest faces seven more child sex...

2 days ago

New leaflet to help older people beat...

2 days ago

Man charged with possessing indecent images of...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025
  • Man charged with possessing indecent images of children

    July 4, 2025
  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy